“It Hurts Us” – Kolisi Drops Emotional Bombshell On Silverware Failure
As South African rugby icon Siya Kolisi prepares to play his final match for Sharks against Zebre Parma in a United Rugby Championship clash at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, he has reflected on his time at the club, admitting it pains him to leave without winning a major trophy.
Kolisi, who rejoined the Sharks in 2024 after a brief spell in France with Racing 92, was in his second stint with the Durban-based side. However, he will return to Stormers ahead of next season.
The 34-year-old flanker, celebrated globally as the first Black captain to lead the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory, is concluding his second stint with the Durban-based side.
Kolisi initially spent three seasons in the Zulu Kingdom between 2020 and 2023 after moving from the DHL Stormers. Following a brief, highly publicized spell in France with Racing 92—which was marred by public criticism from club president Jacky Lorenzetti—Kolisi returned to Chaser’s Place in 2024.
However, his second stay in Durban draws to a close this weekend as he prepares to rejoin the Stormers next season to be closer to his family in Cape Town.
“I have really enjoyed my time here in KZN,” Kolisi reflected.
“I have enjoyed every single part of my journey. The second time I came back was even more special for me because I think I built deeper friendships. The people of KZN have been amazing to me and my family whenever they visited. Durban and KZN are incredibly special places.”
Unfulfilled Potential on the East Coast
Despite boasting a star-studded roster stacked with World Cup-winning Springboks—including Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi, and Aphelele Fassi—the Sharks have struggled to translate their paper wealth into competition silverware.
Saturday’s match against Zebre is purely a matter of pride, as the team cannot mathematically qualify for the URC playoffs. That is; despite boasting over 500 combined international test caps across their starting Springbok contingent, the Sharks recorded their lowest-ever URC table finish this season.
Kolisi, who will run out for just his ninth Sharks appearance of an injury-disrupted season, did not hide his disappointment regarding the lack of elite silverware.
While the Sharks did win the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2024, Kolisi was still playing in France at the time. For both the players and a management team desperate for the URC or Investec Champions Cup crowns, the season has fallen short.
“We are disappointed with how things went,” Kolisi admitted candidly.
“We did not play to our true potential. It hurts us, it hurts the union, and it hurts our supporters who always show up, even when things are not going well. That is what makes Sharks fans unique—they stay loyal.
“I will leave with a sense of disappointment because a group with this kind of talent should have achieved much more. There are no excuses.”
A Bright Future in the Youth
Despite the underlying regret, Kolisi remains optimistic about the foundations being laid under the guidance of coach JP Pietersen, highlighting the emergence of homegrown talents like Zikhethelo Siyaya and Litelihle Bester.
“I have no doubt about the future of this team,” Kolisi added. “The sheer amount of youth coming through the system is amazing. Coach JP Pietersen is actively blooding players who were born and raised right here.
“JP started here, he played his rugby here, and he understands this community inside out. He doesn’t need a learning curve because he knows exactly what made the Sharks great in the past. I look forward to watching what they achieve.”
