Sharks coach John Plumtree has named a 65-man squad for the 2025-26 Vodacom URC, but will be without nine players – excluding their Springboks – when the tournament kicks off next week.
With a demanding season ahead – combining the URC, Champions Cup and Springbok Test commitments – depth will be crucial to sustaining the Sharks’ ambitions over the next nine months.
The Currie Cup provided a valuable platform to develop young players, while the success of the Junior Boks at the World Rugby U20 Championship further bolstered the talent pool.
The likes of Junior Boks Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Matt Romao (loose forward), Jaco Williams (wing/fullback) and Ceano Everson (scrumhalf), along with Currie Cup captain Nick Hatton, were among those who impressed.
They now add quality depth to a squad coming off its best URC season to date, with a third-place finish and the SA Shield in 2024-25.
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While the temporary loss of several Springboks poses challenges, new signings and short-term loan players have eased the pressure on the playing group and coaching staff.
“We have some injuries, particularly around lock with Corne Rahl and Emile van Heerden, with the latest being Siya Masuku, and Jordan Hendrikse who has been on the long-term injury list, so we have a few problems,” said Plumtree. “There are about nine URC players unavailable, along with the Springboks.
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“But there is still a lot of quality within our team: we have some loan players, Cameron Dawson from the Cheetahs and Cebo Dlamini from Griquas, along with a couple of new recruits, Eduan Swart and Ross Braude from the Pumas. They’re two good players, and it’s good to have a relationship with Jimmy Stonehouse to help us out with players, which has added to our depth.”
Sharks squad: Albie Bester, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Bathobele Hlekani, Bongi Mbonambi, Bradley Davids, Bryce Calvert, Cameron Dawson, Ceano Everson, Cebo Dlamini, Christie Grobbelaar, Coetzee Le Roux, Cornelus Rahl, Deon Slabbert, Dian Bleuler, Dian Heunis, Diego Appollis, Eben Etzebeth, Eduan Swart, Edwill van der Merwe, Emile van Heerden, Emmanuel Tshituka, Ethan Bester, Ethan Hooker, Fezokuhle Mbatha, Francois Venter, Grant Williams, Hakeem Kunene, Hanro Jacobs, Jaco Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Jannes Potgieter, Jason Jenkins, Jean Smith, Jordan Hendrikse, Jurenzo Julius, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Litelihle Bester, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Marnus Potgieter, Marvin Orie, Matt Romao, Mawande Mdanda, Meno Barnard, Nick Hatton, Ox Nche, Phatu Ganyane, Phepsi Buthelezi, Phikolomzi Sobahle, Ross Braude, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siya Masuku, Siyamthanda Kolisi, Thomas Dyer, Tiaan Fourie, Tinotenda Mavesere, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Vincent Tshituka, Vusi Moyo, Willem van den Hever.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
