OPINION: A large number of Stormers fans have questioned the decision to re-sign Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, and rightfully so.

Kolisi will leave the Sharks and head back to Cape Town at the conclusion of the current United Rugby Championship (URC) season after spending the last two years in Durban.

It’s a transfer that has come as a bolt from the blue and has been described as “sensational,” but many, myself included, will argue otherwise.

The 34-year-old was linked with a lucrative deal to Japan at the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but that clearly didn’t materialise.

He is now set to retire at his boyhood club, citing his desire to be close to his family as the reason for his return.

The fairytale “homecoming”, however, has been met with split views, it’s raised eyebrows, and it feels more like a win for Kolisi than it does for the Stormers on the field.

Clearly not a rugby decision, but a boardroom one

There’s no doubt that Kolisi is an icon in South African rugby. Nobody is disputing that, but we need to call this transfer what it is: Superfluous.

The Stormers are currently the best South African team in both the URC and Champions Cup, and their early-season success has been driven by backing youngsters who have come through the system.

The two-time World Cup-winning captain will offer a wealth of experience, and Director of Rugby, John Dobson, said he would play a mentorship role to the young loose forwards as they continue to build towards “Project 2029”.

But if we’re being frank, Dobson had to spin that dubious narrative because he’s pouring oil on troubled waters, considering the questions that will arise after the signing.

Furthermore, the Stormers have a stacked lineup of loose forwards, and many of them are likely to see more of the bench come next season.

When Kolisi returned to the Sharks after his controversial spell at Racing 92, the Durban franchise let go of prodigy Siya Ningiza, who was on the brink of a URC debut, and James Venter because there was simply no space for them anymore.

I’m not implying the same could happen at the Stormers, but supporters have every right to question whether players like Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Keke Morabe, and others will receive enough game time.

The above-mentioned have been touted as the next generation for the club, and it would be a shame to see their progress derailed.

Kolisi is a brilliant signing for the Stormers image but not for what they’re trying to build on the field.

It feels like the club is doing him a favour, and he’ll get to be closer to his children, but the Stormers are also set to benefit financially until 2029.

The story continues below…

The icon @SiyaKolisi makes his return in July 2026. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/0astkJyQhJ

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) December 23, 2025

Kolisi’s way or the highway

As afore mentioned, the skipper will be a valuable asset to the franchise as a whole, and his leadership qualities will be welcomed.

However, if you take away all the fancy wording around the move, and see it for what it is, you’ll realise that the Stormers have potentially put themselves in a tricky position here.

There is certainly a common trend when it comes to Kolisi, and it seems like he always manages to get what he wants.

He left Racing 92 in discord, after a hefty ZAR17-million was reportedly paid by businessman Vincent Mai to buy him out of his contract.

The reasons for his return were to be close to his family and to play rugby in South Africa, after spending just one season in France.

A year later, it feels like Déjà vu, and the skipper is on the move once again, albeit on good terms this time around.

Remember, Kolisi wanted this exact move in December of 2024 – just three months after re-joining the Sharks from Racing 92.

You might think I’m reading too much into it, but the last thing the Stormers need is a show that centres around one player while they are trying to build a unified squad of 30-plus players, and Dobson will be wary of this.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll reiterate it’s a brilliant move for Kolisi, personally, but why would the Stormers take him back?

Well, it’s simple, they’re getting a household name, a double World Cup-winning captain who will sell tickets, fill up DHL Stadium, perform while he still can, and that is probably the reason why they entertained the deal, and for that, nobody can fault them.

I’m certain the club was in no way pursuing Kolisi, but they couldn’t resist the opportunity of cashing in on the mega-star they created as a youngster, and in return, allow him to be closer to his family.

But as we’ve seen in the past, things can quickly change, and what will happen when it suddenly doesn’t go Kolisi’s way, or there’s a fallout? Will he look for the exit door again?

I guess the positive this time around is that it looks like the Stormers will be his last stop. Let’s hope so.