Siya returns to France: Racing 92 welcome World Cup-winning Bok skipper to the club

Almost a fortnight since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at the Rugby World Cup in France, where the Springboks beat New Zealand 12-11 in the final, South African captain Siya Kolisi returned to Paris, this time in the colours of his new club, Racing 92.

In a post on the club's official X social media account, Kolisi receives a warm welcome from officials from the club as he is shown around the facilities before putting on the Racing 92 kit for a photo shoot, then spending some time training with his new teammates.

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Kolisi has moved to Paris from the Sharks, who he joined in 2021.

His last game for the Durban-based franchise was a United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in April, a match in which he severely injured his knee, which left him in serious doubt of making the Springboks squad for the World Cup.

As it turned out, Kolisi's recovery was nothing short of miraculous and it culminated in the No 6 joining former All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw as the only two captains to win the World Cup twice. However, the Springboks arguably edged the New Zealanders to rugby immortality with a record fourth title.

After his return to South Africa after the World Cup, the 32-year-old Kolisi said he would still be available to play international rugby.

"What matters to me the most is as long as I can put on the Springbok jersey, it doesn't matter whether I'm the captain or not," he said at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday last week.

An exciting new chapter begins for @SiyaKolisi ?? pic.twitter.com/nmpATW66JT