The Sharks have announced the signing of World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on a multi-year deal.

In a recruitment that has become an open secret in South African rugby, the Sharks officially released a statement to announce a ‘historic day’ for the franchise on Wednesday.

‘Kolisi’s ongoing strong appetite to win trophies and better himself on the field, matched with the Sharks’ strategic vision and defined blueprint for success, drove Kolisi’s motivation to expand his horizons within SA rugby, and embark on this exciting new chapter in Durban,’ a statement read.

Commenting on his signing, Sharks CEO Dr Eduard Coetzee said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Siya and his family to the Cell C Sharks. We pride ourselves on being a family unit who support and treat each other unbelievably well and a player of Siya’s pedigree is a welcomed addition to the team.

‘He is a class act and undoubtedly a great ambassador for the game and is someone whom our young players will certainly draw inspiration from. We are confident that Siya will fit in seamlessly into our team environment and will thrive with the unique culture that we have in Durban.’