After the dreary United Rugby Championship campaign last season, when they finished in 10th place, and the previous season in third place, the Sharks they embarked on quite a recruitment drive.
While JP Pietersen’s side welcomed back many players, they also saw plenty of departures, including several Springboks favorites Rassie Erasmus.
The result is a 67-man Sharks squad that contains a large contingent of Springboks in their mid-to-late 30s, allied with a host of South Africa U20 internationals and recent Springboks juniors who have a lot of potential but have yet to fully prove themselves.
What may be lacking is real class between those two ages, but there are still options in a huge squad of 36 forwards and 31 backs.
That said, there are still plenty of World Cup winners in this squad; how much playtime do they get a year from the showroom Australia remains to be seen. Here’s how the team rates:
Loosehead Props: Cameron Dawson, Phatu Ganyane, Rambo Kubeka, I’m Not Afraid, I’m Not Afraid, I’m Not Afraid, I’m Not Afraid, Nemo Roelofse
Having arguably the best looser on the planet in Nche will obviously make the Sharks scrum dangerous whenever (emphasis whenever) he plays. After a decade honing his craft in France, Roelofse arrived to serve as one of two experienced backups to Dawson. After that, it’s a youthful look, but having three Junior Boks in Kubheka, 20, Ganyane, 23, and Ngobese, 21, bodes well for the future. For now and here, it just depends on how much Nche plays as the options behind him will not strike fear into opponents. But simply because of Nche, the rating is high. Rating: 8/10
Tighthead props: Thomas du Toit, Dian Heunis, Hanro Jacobs, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
On the surface, the Sharks division looks daunting. Bringing in one of the best in the game in Du Toit is a great job and then having two World Cup winners in Koch and Nyakane behind him creates the illusion of a sensational line-up. But Koch is now 36, and the 37-year-old Nyakane has been ravaged by injuries in recent years – perhaps not the force he once was. Still, there are experienced options behind that trio, incl South Africa A representative of Jacobs, meaning the Sharks might not have too much trouble even if Koch and Nyakane see limited playing time. Rating: 8/10
Whores: Ethan Bester, Fez Mbatha, Bongi Mbonambi, Esethu Mnebelele, Eduan Swart, Liam van Wyk
Much like the stiffs, Mbonambi looks great on paper, but the two-time World Cup winner is now 35 and faces questions about his form. He will, however, be desperate to return to the Springboks, making him a dangerous proposition. Although new Bulls signing Mnebelele is only 20 and van Wyk just 19, both have been earmarked by Rassie Erasmus and the pair have run out for South Africa A earlier this year. They may be at the tail end of their careers, but there is potential for a great season if they all perform well. Rating: 7.5/10
Brave: Eben Etzebeth, Jason Jenkins, Darrien Landsberg, Coetzee le Roux, Stephan Lewies, Jannes Potgieter, Corne Rahl, Deon Slabbert, Emile van Heerden, Johan Momsen, Thomas Dyer
A common theme in this team is the acclaimed Springbok, Etzebeth, followed by some experienced club players and some unproven younger prospects. It is not known how much Etzebeth plays, but they have strengthened their options with Landsberg, Momsen and Bok Lewies playing one wicket. Rating: 7.5/10
Back Rows: Phepsi Buthelezi, Nick Hatton, Tinote Mavesere, Matt Romao, Henry Stassen, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka
The loss of Stormers-bound Siya Kolisi is a major blow for the Sharks, who are now without established Bok in their back row. They have Boks Buthelezi and Vincent Tshituka, both top operators at URC, but this back row seems to lack real class and depth of solid options compared to other back rows in the league. Rating: 6/10
Scrum halves: Ross Braude, Bradley Davids, Ceano Everson, Jaden Hendrikse, Juan Loots, Ivan van Zyl
Veteran Springbok Van Zyl arrived in Durban from Saracens provide some much-needed experience to the side that waved goodbye to Grant Williams. They have another Springbok in Jaden Hendrikse, who will be looking to rediscover his best form, but there is not much experience behind the pair. There is, again, youth, and promising 21-year-old former Junior Bok Everson could enjoy more playing time. Rating: 6.5/10
Fly-halves: Jordan Hendrix, Gianni Lombard, Siya Masuku, Vusi Moyo
Another position where there is a lot of potential, but there is no concrete evidence yet that this will be a problem area for opponents. This is, of course, due to the inexperience of the 20-year-old Moyo, but he already has a South African cap. He will likely compete with Jordan Hendrikse for the No.10 jersey, but newcomer Lombard provides solid support, as does Masuku. Rating: 7/10
Centers: Albie Bester, André Esterhuizen, Matthew Fortuin, Jurenzo Julius, Murray Koster, Lyle Matthews, Ma’a Nonu, Janco Purchase
The name that stands out here is Nonu’s, although it looks like the 44-year-old will have more of a mentoring role than a playing role. Despite being a hybrid option for the Springboks, club captain Esterhuizen is likely to keep the No.12 shirt for the upcoming season, and is likely to partner rising star Julius in midfield, although Ethan Hooker could step in from time to time. Additionally, there isn’t necessarily a great depth of established options. Rating: 7/10
Wings: Ethan Hooker, Litelihle Bester, Donavan Don, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Makazole Mapimpi, Yaw Penxe, Khuthi Rasivhaga, Phiko Sobahle, Edwill van der Merwe, Jaco Williams
Once again, this division features Bok in the twilight of their career, Mapimpi, and some exciting up-and-comers, notably the 21-year-old Williams, who Erasmus played against Wales this year. Perhaps what separates the wings is that the players are between old and young recognized names on the international circuit. Hooker is already an established Springbok and Van der Merwe didn’t look out of place when he pulled on the green jersey. Rating: 8/10
Backs: Luan Giliomee, Zeketel Siyaya
Both Giliomee, 20, and Siyaya, 19, ran out for South Africa A earlier this year against Zimbabwe, underscoring how highly regarded they are in South African rugby. There is huge potential for the future, but it is unclear what to expect this season from such an inexperienced pair. Sure, there are wing options that can switch to fullback, like Williams, but that doesn’t necessarily add a huge amount of experience. Aphelele Fassi moved to Japan leaves quite a hole here. Rating: 6.5/10
Overall rating: 72/100
Transfers
in: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Stephan Lewies (Harlequins), Nemo Roelofse (Perpignan), Gianni Lombard (Lions), Ivan van Zyl (Saracens), Donavan Don (South African Sevens), Murray Koster (Hino Red Dolphins), Esethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Hendré Stassen (Bernberg), Hendré Stassen (B. (Lannions) (Toulon), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers).
out: Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Jean Smith (Benetton), Le Roux Malan (Cardiff), Hakeem Kunene (Bulls), Mawande Mdanda (Bulls), Marvin Orie (Released), Grant Williams (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba Brave Lupus).
