Siya Kolisi will make his second-to-last appearance in a Sharks jersey when they host Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, with his imminent move to the Stormers now confirmed as a family-driven decision to be closer to his children and his Cape base.
The Sharks' URC season effectively ended when they lost 28-33 to Edinburgh on Friday night, eliminating any lingering hope of a top-eight finish. The margin to eighth place is now too large to close across the remaining two fixtures against Benetton and Zebre.
Kolisi was unsparing in his assessment. "We definitely should have qualified. We have no excuses for that," he said. "We should be doing better than we did this season."
He was equally direct about what the failure means for those who backed the team. "It hurts us the way the fans have been supporting us so much and we couldn't deliver for them, for the club itself."
Kolisi joined the Sharks in February 2021 after an 11-year association with Western Province, and leaves with the farewell carrying a genuine emotional weight. "It's going to be hard to say goodbye to the boys. It's been a special place," he said, singling out the people of KwaZulu-Natal for the warmth extended to his family during his four years in Durban.
He was clear that the Sharks' support in facilitating his return to Cape Town shaped the manner of his exit. "Thank you to the Sharks for everything they've done for me and for understanding how important family is – not just saying it, but helping me get closer to my kids."