Looking to improve on last year’s disappointing 10th place finish? Signing Thomas du Toit seems like a good place to start…
The Sharks continued their yo-yo run in the United Rugby Championship last season, following last year’s third-place finish with a disappointing drop to 10th. But if the Durban-based outfit fail to bounce back this year, it won’t be down to a lack of resources – indeed, with the brilliant Thomas du Toit joining Ox Nchè, Bonga Mbonamba and Vincent Koch up front, the Sharks could have the most fearsome pack in the league.
We review each one URC and Gallagher PREM before the 2026-27 season kicks off on Friday 25 September. Keep coming back The world of rugby each day for our verdicts on each team.
Sharks discussions
The Sharks have had four different head coaches since the emergence of the URC in 2021, while a number of high-profile players have come and gone. With all their resources, they only made it to the semi-finals once.
The blame for last term’s tenth place finish does not lie at the door of JP Pietersen, with the former Springbok wing replacing John Plumtree midway through the campaign. Of course, more will be expected of the Sharks this season.
It will be interesting to see how he goes about his business. If they win the Challenge Cup, they will qualify for the 2027-28 Champions Cup regardless of where they finish in the URC – and the Sharks have experience in this scenario having won the Challenge Cup in 2024.
A key player
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit returns to Durban after three years with Bath, where he won the 2025 treble and scored 21 tries in 52 PREM games – the most tries by a prop in the competition’s history.
The versatile forward is known for his explosive ball-handling as much as his tackling prowess, and should bolster a Sharks front row that already boasts World Cup winners Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane.
The Sharks have strengthened an already formidable pack with the arrival of Thomas du Toit from Bath (David Rogers/Getty Images)
One to watch
Eyebrows were raised after Pietersen picked 20-year-old Vusi Moyo and full-back Zekhethel Siyaya, who just turned 19, at the end of last season. After starring in big wins over Benetton and Zebra Parma, they were invited to train with the Springboks and Mojo made his Test debut in the 43-0 win against Wales in Durban. Race Erasmus praised Moyo for his game management and temperament – and the Sharks will need both.
Trainer box
Pietersen coached the Sharks at Currie Cup level before taking charge of the URC this year. His decision to support younger players has been praised. Attack coach Scott Mathie, who won two MLR titles with the New England Free Jacks, was recently signed from Edinburgh and is highly rated.
Prediction for the Sharks 2026-27
The Sharks should do enough to finish in the top seven and regain Champions Cup status.
Sharks 2026-27 quotas
25-1
Vital statistics
The Sharks won 50 penalties in the table last season – and now they’ve signed Thomas du Toit!
Scrum-half Ivan van Zyl returns to South Africa after five seasons with Saracens (Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Sharks signing
- Thomas du Toit (bath rugby)
- Stephan Lewis (Quins)
- Ivan van Zyl (Saracens)
- Nemo Roelofse (Perpignan)
- Gianni Lombard (Lions)
- Darrien Landsberg (Lions)
- Our Mnebelele (Bulls)
- Donavan Don (SA Sevens)
- Murray Koster (Red Dolphins)
- Dominic Besag (unaffiliated)
Sharks ddepartures
- Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
- Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers)
- Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
- Le Roux Malan (Cardiff)
- Jean Smith (Benetton)
- Hakeem Kunene (Bulls)
- Mawande Mdanda (Bulls)
- Luke Giliomee (Taurus)
- Marvin Orie (published)
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