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→Current squad: Restores Junior Squad. Detailing junior or espoirs squad is standard. Please review major teams like Bordeaux who just won Champions Cup. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Bordeaux_B%C3%A8gles#Espoirs_squad
Whybeetoo (talk | contribs)
389 edits
→Honours: See previous revert on Currie Cup
Tag: Reverted
Line 488: Line 488:
|-
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[European Challenge Cup|EPCR Challenge Cup]] || style="background:gold"| '''(1)''' [[2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup|2023/24]] || – || – || '''(1)''' [[2024–25 EPCR Challenge Cup|2024/25]] || – || – || –
| style="text-align:left;" | [[European Challenge Cup|EPCR Challenge Cup]] || style="background:gold"| '''(1)''' [[2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup|2023/24]] || – || – || '''(1)''' [[2024–25 EPCR Challenge Cup|2024/25]] || – || – || –
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Currie Cup]] || style="background:gold"| '''(9)''' [[1990 Currie Cup|1990]], [[1992 Currie Cup|1992]], [[1995 Currie Cup|1995]], [[1996 Currie Cup|1996]], [[2008 Currie Cup Premier Division|2008]], [[2010 Currie Cup Premier Division|2010]], [[2013 Currie Cup Premier Division|2013]], [[2018 Currie Cup Premier Division|2018]], [[2024 Currie Cup Premier Division|2024]] || style="background:silver"| '''(12)''' [[1956 Currie Cup|1956]], [[1984 Currie Cup|1984]], [[1993 Currie Cup|1993]], [[1999 Currie Cup|1999]], [[2000 Currie Cup|2000]], [[2001 Currie Cup|2001]], [[2003 Currie Cup|2003]], [[2011 Currie Cup Premier Division|2011]], [[2012 Currie Cup Premier Division|2012]], [[2017 Currie Cup Premier Division|2017]], [[2020 Currie Cup Premier Division|2020-21]], [[2021 Currie Cup Premier Division|2021]]|| – || – || – || – || –
|}
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Revision as of 09:31, 15 June 2025

For the team competing in the English Premiership, see Sale Sharks.

The Sharks
Full nameThe Sharks
UnionSouth African Rugby Union
Emblem(s)Shark
Founded1890 (Natal Rugby Union)
1995 (Sharks franchise)
LocationDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
RegionKwaZulu-Natal
Ground(s)Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium (Capacity: 54,000)
CEOVacant
Director of RugbyNeil Powell
Coach(es)John Plumtree
Captain(s)Eben Etzebeth
Most appearancesTendai Mtawarira (159)
Top scorerCurwin Bosch (872)
Most triesMakazole Mapimpi (42)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
Currie Cup (as Sharks XV)
URC: 2024–253rd overall
1st South African Shield
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
sharksrugby.co.za
Current season

The Sharks (known as the Hollywoodbets Sharks as they are their title sponsor) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and are eligible to compete in either the Investec Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup depending on qualification. They previously competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020. The team also competes in the Currie Cup as the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV

The Sharks reached the Super Rugby final on four occasions—once as Natal in 1996, and three times as the Sharks in 2001, 2007, and 2012—though they never won the title.[1] To date, their best performance in the United Rugby Championship is reaching the semi-finals in the 2024-25 URC Season and winning the South African conference shield in the same season.[2] In May 2024, they won their first major competition by winning the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup, becoming the first South African team to win a European trophy.[3] The team - previously also competing as Natal, the Natal Sharks, and most recently, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV has won nine Currie Cup titles.

The team plays its home matches at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

History

Evolution of the Sharks

The Sharks trace their origins to the formation of the Natal Rugby Union in 1890. The team competed under the name Natal, playing predominantly in the Currie Cup. In 1995, the team rebranded as the Natal Sharks.[4] This name remained in use until the advent of the franchise era in Super Rugby in 1998, when the team became known as the Coastal Sharks. This marked a formal distinction between the franchise team competing in Super Rugby and the provincial team participating in the Currie Cup, which remained as the Natal Sharks and later just the Sharks.

In 2005, the franchise's Eastern Cape partners withdrew, leaving the Sharks aligned exclusively with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial union. Since then, the Super Rugby (and later United Rugby Championship) and Currie Cup teams have been fully integrated and operate within a unified structure.

Originally, the team was fully administered by the Natal Rugby Union, except for the period from 1998 to 2005, when the Eastern Cape rugby unions played a limited role in the governance of the Super Rugby franchise. In 1999, a move toward private ownership began when SuperSport acquired a 40% stake in the new commercial division established by union for R48 million.[5][6] In 2021, MVM Holdings purchased a 51% controlling interest in the Sharks, with the remaining 49% retained by the Kwazulu-Natal Rugby Union and SuperSport.[7].

The team currently competes as the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and international tournaments and the Sharks XV in the Currie Cup

Playing History

The Sharks currently field multiple teams across different levels of competition. Their top-tier professional side competes in the United Rugby Championship, representing the franchise in international club rugby. Alongside this, the Sharks also maintain a team in the Currie Cup, South Africa’s premier domestic competition. In addition, the franchise operates a Junior squad that competes in national youth tournaments. Age-group rugby within the KwaZulu-Natal province is also branded under the Sharks name, creating a unified identity across all levels of the player development pathway.

The Sharks' participation in international club rugby began with the teams participation in the 1993 Super 10. Since then they have competed in Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship, Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, along with several other smaller tournaments.

Super Rugby

The Sharks first competed in Super Rugby in 1993 when it was called the Super 10. That year they finished second in their pool.[8] In 1994, they topped their group and reached the final, losing to Queensland.[9] They did not compete in 1995.[10] The team joined the inaugural Super 12 in 1996, finishing fourth and progressing to the final, where they lost to Auckland.[8][11]

Branded as the Coastal Sharks from 1998, the team experienced mixed success, reaching the semi-finals that year and the final in 2001 where they were comprehensively beaten by the Brumbies,[12] but also finishing last in 2000.[13]. The turn of the millennium also saw rapid coaching turnover with long term coach Ian McIntosh retiring,[14][15] his replacement Hugh Reece-Edwards being quickly fired after the disastrous 2000 Super 12 season,[13] and Rudolph Straeuli taking over.[16]

Their strongest regular season came in 2007, when - coached by Dick Muir - they topped the Super 14 table and became the first South African side to host a final,[17] narrowly losing to the Bulls after a last-minute try by Bryan Habana.[18]

Sharks playing Cats (now Lions) in 2006

In 2012, the Sharks made a dramatic playoff run, traveling over 55,000 km to win knockout matches in Australia and South Africa before falling to the Chiefs in the final.[19] [20] [21] They won the South African Conference in 2014,[22] but coaching instability followed, with John Plumtree and Jake White leaving in quick succession.[23] After a poor 2015 season, the team began to stabilize and reached four consecutive quarter-finals in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Sharks led the 2020 Super Rugby season before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

As international travel restrictions took effect, the Sharks competed in domestic and regional tournaments such as Super Rugby Unlocked, finishing third. In 2021, it was announced that South African franchises would leave Super Rugby to join the newly structured United Rugby Championship (URC).[25]

United Rugby Championship and EPCR

The Sharks entered the United Rugby Championship in the 2021–2022 season and played their first official URC game against Munster in Ireland on 25 September 2021.[26] Previously, due to COVID-19 pandemic effecting international travel the Sharks participated in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup, marking their first appearance in European rugby competitions. The South African sides competed in the 'Rainbow Cup SA', finishing second. Their 2021–22 was a strong campaign, finishing 5th in the regular season standings. They were narrowly eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Bulls, who secured victory with a drop goal in added time.[27] Despite the loss, the season was considered a moderate success, especially as the Sharks secured qualification for the Champions Cup for the first time.[28]

The 2022–2023 season was more mixed. Domestically, the Sharks finished 8th and were comfortably beaten by Leinster in the URC quarter-finals.[29] Poor early season form lead to the dismissal of head coach Sean Everitt, with Director of Rugby Neil Powell stepping in for the remainder of the season.[30] Although an 8th-place finish would ordinarily ensure Champions Cup qualification, URC regulations give automatic qualification to each of the four regional shield winners. Cardiff, winners of the Welsh Shield despite finishing below the Sharks on the overall table, claimed the final Champions Cup spot. [31] As a result, the Sharks were relegated to the EPCR Challenge Cup for the following season. In their inaugural Champions Cup campaign, however, the Sharks performed well—finishing third in Pool A after winning three out of four pool matches.[32] They defeated Munster comfortably in the Round of 16 before a heavy quarter-final defeat to Toulouse.[33][34]

The 2023–2024 season marked a downturn in domestic form.[35] The season began with John Plumtree being appointed as Head Coach.[36] The Sharks finished 14th in the URC with just four wins.[37] With URC hopes fading, the team shifted its focus to the EPCR Challenge Cup, where they ultimately found success—defeating Gloucester in the final to secure their first European title.[38] The win granted them automatic qualification for the 2024–2025 Champions Cup.[39] In that season, the Sharks rebounded in the URC, finishing 3rd and hosting a quarter-final in Durban.[40] They defeated Munster in a dramatic match that went to extra time and penalties after a 24–24 draw,[41] setting up a semi-final with the Bulls (rugby union) at Loftus, which they lost 25-13.[42] However, their European campaign was less successful: they won only one of four Champions Cup pool games and were demoted to the Challenge Cup Round of 16,[43] where they were comprehensively beaten by eventual finalists Lyon.[44]

Currie Cup

For history of the Sharks while playing in the Currie Cup, see Sharks (Currie Cup).

The Sharks have competed in the Currie Cup since the formation of the Natal Rugby Union in 1890, competing initially as Natal. After decades without major success, they reached their first Currie Cup final in 1956, which they lost to Northern Transvaal, and won their first title in 1990 under coach Ian McIntosh,[45] defeating Northern Transvaal.[46] This victory marked the start of a more competitive era, following years of playing as a lower-tier or mid-table side.

In the 1990s, Natal won additional titles in 1992, 1995, and 1996.[47] The team, rebranded as the Sharks in 1995, featured several future Springboks and regularly reached finals, losing to the Lions in 1999, after which the team went through a significant transition with McIntosh, Gary Teichmann, Andre Joubert, and Henry Honiball leaving the side.[15] They were runners-up again in 2000 and 2001,[48] and in 2003 lost heavily to the Bulls.[49] In 2008, they won the Currie Cup for the fifth time defeating the Bulls, followed by further victories in 2010 and 2013, both against Western Province. A loss in the 2011 final to the Lions and again in 2012to Western Province interrupted their success.

The Sharks claimed their eighth Currie Cup title in 2018, defeating Western Province at Newlands. In 2021, they lost consecutive finals to the Bulls, with the 2020 tournament having been delayed due to COVID-19. They won their ninth title in 2024, beating the Lions at Ellis Park.

Overall, the Sharks have won the Currie Cup nine times and been runner up twelve times.

Team identity

The team was originally known as Natal, representing the province of the same name, and was informally nicknamed the Banana Boys or Piesangboere—a nod to the region's subtropical agriculture and perceived underdog status.[50]

In 1995, the team underwent a major rebranding and adopted the name The Sharks, accompanied by a new logo, mascot (Sharkie), and a coordinated marketing campaign. Although initially met with resistance from traditionalists, the new identity quickly gained traction due to strong team performances and a high-profile branding rollout. The shift resulted in noticeable growth in attendance, merchandise sales, and corporate engagement.[51]

As the team began competing in Super Rugby in 1998, it used the name Coastal Sharks to reflect a temporary partnership with Eastern Cape unions. However, "The Sharks" remained the central brand in public and commercial use. Following the end of this regional partnership in 2005, the team’s brand identity consolidated entirely under the KwaZulu-Natal banner.[52]

In 2022, the franchise refreshed its visual identity by updating the logo and introducing a new slogan. The revised logo now incorporates the word Durban, aligning the brand more directly with the team's home city.[53]

In 2024, the franchise introduced the designation "Sharks XV" for its Currie Cup team. While the side continues to operate under the broader Sharks umbrella, this naming convention was viewed as an effort to standardize branding across all levels of competition and mirror similar changes made by other South African franchises.[54]

Stadium

Kings Park Stadium, the home of the Sharks

Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban is the home ground of The Sharks. It is locally known as "The Shark Tank". It currently has a capacity of 54,000. In addition to being the home of the Sharks, it is also used during the Currie Cup for the Sharks. The ground was originally built in 1968, but have been worked on numerous times. A major upgrade occurred for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Current squad

For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers#Sharks.

The Sharks squad for the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship is:[55]

Sharks United Rugby Championship squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ST denotes a short-term signing.

Junior squad

For squads from previous years, see Past Sharks Junior Squads.

Players who have represented the Sharks in junior Rugby or who have been identified as forming part of the Junior Squad in the current calendar year are listed below.

Sharks Junior Squad (2025)

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wingers

Fullbacks

Sources:[56][57][58][59][60][61]

Notable players

The side includes many Springbok players, including Aphelele Fassi, Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi, most capped Springbok Eben Etzebeth and double Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi. Historically, many Springboks have played for the Sharks.

They have also featured many international stars including former Scottish International and current head coach of Scotland Gregor Townsend and current international Dylan Richardson; Zimbabwean international Tinotenda Mavesere; former French international Frédéric Michalak; former Australian International Ben Tapuai; and former Argentinian internationals Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Juan Martín Hernández, amongst others.

Coaches

History

The Sharks were coached by Former Springbok coach Ian McIntosh between 1996 and 1999, with Hugh Reece-Edwards as his assistant. In 2000, Reece-Edwards took over as coach with Jake White and Allister Coetzee as assistants.

All three were replaced the following year however, as Rudolf Straeuli was appointed coach, with Kobus van der Merwe as his assistant. In 2002, Clinton Isaacs replaced Van der Merwe as Straeuli's assistant.

Kevin Putt was appointed as Straeuli's replacement when he was appointed Springbok coach, with Theo Jansen van Rensburg as assistant. Dick Muir replaced Putt in 2006 and pulled in John Plumtree as his assistant. Plumtree took over the head coaching position for the 2007 Currie Cup, whilst Muir took time off to add to his qualifications and learn from some of the most successful coaches in rugby history, such as Sir Clive Woodward. Muir took The Sharks to the 2007 Super 14 final at home and was later seconded as an assistant coach to Peter de Villiers with the national side.

John Plumtree took over as full-time coach in 2008 where he found immediate success, taking the Sharks to their first Currie Cup title since 1996 when they defeated the Blue Bulls in Durban. He repeated that feat in 2010 when his team beat Western Province in the Kings Park final. Following their Super Rugby Final's appearance in 2012, the Sharks produced a lacklustre season in 2013, finishing 8th on the combined log and 4th of 5 teams in the South African division. Plumtree's final season as Sharks coach was marred by a roster depleted of injuries and perceived tactical challenges.

Soon after the Sharks' appointment of former Springbok and Sharks captain John Smit as team CEO in mid 2013, news reports emerged that White had contacted former Springbok Brendan Venter to assume a short-term coaching role for the Sharks. Following days of media reports speculating on Plumtree's job security, the Sharks announced that Plumtree would not be brought back following the end of the Super Rugby Campaign. Venter was soon appointed as the Director of Rugby for the 2013 Currie Cup campaign, with coaches Brad McLeod-Henderson (forwards) and Sean Everitt (backs) assuming the day-to-day coaching responsibilities. Following the end of the Sharks' successful 2013 Currie Cup campaign, Venter stepped down as Director of Rugby. Former Springboks' coach Jake White, looking to return to coaching in South Africa, was soon hired to succeed Venter as the Sharks' Director of Rugby and Super Rugby coach, with McLeod-Henderson and Everitt remaining as his full-time assistant coaches.

At the end of 2014 White resigned as Super Rugby coach and Director of Rugby, and former Kobelco Steelers coach Gary Gold was hired as Head Coach and Super Rugby coach for the 2015 Super Rugby Season. McLeod-Henderson resigned after a poor Super Rugby Campaign and Gary Gold assumed the reigns as Currie Cup coach for 2015, Director of Rugby and the Super Rugby coach for 2016.

Towards the end of 2016 Gary Gold left the Sharks and assistant coach Robert du Preez became coach for the 2016 Currie Cup campaign, as well as the Super Rugby coach from 2017. Du Preez would lead the Sharks to the quarter-finals of Super Rugby for three consecutive years, but did not manage to progress beyond that stage.

For the 2020 season, du Preez stepped down and Sean Everitt was appointed head coach,[62] with David Williams (backline and attack) and Brent Janse van Rensburg (forwards) as his assistants.

On 28 November 2022 the Sharks played in a 0–35 home defeat to the Welsh side Cardiff. This marked the first time in franchise history the Sharks had failed to score a single point in a home game. Something the provincial Currie Cup side had also never done in the professional era. The last game in which the provincial side had failed to score a point at home was in 1972 against England.[63] The following day it was announced that then head coach Sean Everitt would be stepping down with immediate effect, and director of rugby Neil Powell would take over all of the responsibilities.[64]

At the end of the 2022–23 season, it was announced that John Plumtree would be returning to the Sharks for the forthcoming season, once again as head coach, with Powell returning to the role of Director of Rugby.[65]

Head coaches

Name Tenure Win%
Rhodesia Ian McIntosh 1996–1999 50.0%
South Africa Hugh Reece-Edwards 2000 9.0%
South Africa Rudolf Straeuli 2001–2002 52.38
New Zealand Kevin Putt 2002–2005 40.91%
South Africa Dick Muir 2006–2007 45.2%
New Zealand John Plumtree 2008–2013 58.90%
South Africa Jake White 2014 68.75%
South Africa Gary Gold 2015–2016 50.0%
South Africa Robert du Preez 2017–2019 48.9%
South Africa Sean Everitt 2020–2022 61.36%
Namibia Neil Powell 2022–2023 52.6%
New Zealand John Plumtree 2023– 51.51%

First team coaching staff

Name Title
Namibia Neil Powell Director of Rugby
New Zealand John Plumtree Head coach
South Africa Joey Mongalo Defence coach
South Africa Dave Williams Attack coach
South Africa Warren Whiteley Forwards coach
South Africa Philip Lemmer Forwards coach
South Africa Phiwe Nomlomo Kicking and exits

Captains

Former players

For a list of former and current players who have represented the Sharks in Super Rugby, United Rugby Championship and European competitions, see List of Sharks (rugby union) players.

Individual records

Honours

Major Honours in International and Domestic Competitions
Competition Titles won Runner-up Semi-finalists Quarter-finalists Qualifying-finalists Round of 16 Conference/Shield Titles
Super Rugby (0) (4) 1996, 2001, 2007, 2012 (4) 1997, 1998, 2008, 2014 (4) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (1) 2011 – (1) 2014
Super 10 (0) (1) 1994 – – – – –
United Rugby Championship (0) – (1) 2024/25 (2) 2021/22, 2022/23 – – (1) 2024/25
European Rugby Champions Cup (0) – – (1) 2022/23 – (1) 2022/23 –
EPCR Challenge Cup (1) 2023/24 – – (1) 2024/25 – – –
Currie Cup (9) 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2024 (12) 1956, 1984, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2020-21, 2021 – – – – –
Minor Honours
Competition Best Result Years
Toyota Challenge Runners-up 2021
World Club 10s Third Place 2016, 2018

References

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  64. ^ "Sean Everitt steps down". News24. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  65. ^ "THE SHARKS MEDIA RELEASE - SHARKS COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT". The Sharks. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.

Bibliography

  • Howitt, Bob (2005). SANZAR Saga – Ten Years of Super 12 and Tri-Nations Rugby. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 1-86950-566-2.
  • McIlraith, Matt (2005). Ten Years of Super 12. Hodder Moa. ISBN 1-86971-025-8.

Stat source: https://all.rugby

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