Sharks Logo Rugby

Sharks Logo Rugby

The Sharks are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super 14 competition (Super 10 from 1993 to 1995 and Super 12 from 1996 to 2005). They are based in Durban and centred around the Natal Sharks union, also based in Durban and drawing players from all of KwaZulu-Natal Province.

In 1993-1995 South Africa was represented in the Super 10 by their three top unions (top three teams from the previous years Currie Cup). Natal (as they were called then) qualified in 1993 and 1994. Natal were runners-up in 1994 after having lost to Queensland 21-10 in the final. In 1996 and 1997 South Africa was represented in the Super 12 by their four top unions rather than franchises, and Natal qualified and competed both years. They have never won the Super 12 competition, but have reached the final three times, as Natal in 1996 and as the Sharks in 2001 and 2007.

Through 2005, they drew players from the two unions based in Eastern Cape Province, the Mighty Elephants (Port Elizabeth) and the Bulldogs (East London), but those unions became the core of the new Southern Spears franchise that was formed in 2006 and was originally intended to enter the Super 14 in 2007 but was later denied admission. The current team captain is Springboks lock Johann Muller. The side contains many other Springbok players, including current Boks captain John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, JP Pietersen, Johan Ackerman, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Pienaar and the brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis. In 2010, they were slated to feature Argentine star Juan Martín Hernández, but he was ruled out for the season with a back injury.

Sharks Logo Rugby