Natal Sharks
Encyclopedia
The Natal Sharks are a South Africa
n rugby union
team that participate in the annual Currie Cup
and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park
. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby Union, founded in 1890. The team were known simply as 'the Banana Boys' until the mid-1990s.
The Sharks of the Super Rugby competition are basically the same team - they also play in Durban and draw their players from the KwaZulu-Natal
area. For most of Super Rugby history, the Sharks Super Rugby franchise drew players from a larger area than did the Natal Sharks, with the rugby unions of Border
, based in East London and Eastern Province
from Port Elizabeth included in the Sharks franchise.
final appearance in the 1956 season, where they met Northern Transvaal at home, Kings Park Stadium
in Durban
. Natal went down by just a single point, with Northern Transvaal winning the match nine points to eight.
Natal made the final again in the 1984 season, when they met Western Province
at Newlands Stadium
in Cape Town
. Natal lost the match nineteen points to nine. Natal met 1956 final opponents, Northern Transvaal, in the legendary 1990 final in Pretoria, though this time, Natal won the contest, claiming their first ever Currie Cup, with the final score being 18 points to 12. Natal won the match with Tony Watson's famous '9 point try'. With score at 12-9, Right Winger Tony Watson touched down to make it 13-12 in Natal's favour, but he was fouled upon scoring. Stransky converted to give Natal a 3-point lead, and his successful subsequent penalty gave Natal the six point lead which they held until the final whistle. The victorious side were captained by scrumhalf Craig Jamieson, who led the team on a ticker-tape parade through central Durban later in the week. The victory was especially poignant for being both Natal's first, and for occurring in the Union's Centenary year.
Natal were again in the finals only two seasons after their 1990 victory. They won their second Currie Cup title, defeating Transvaal by a single point, winning 14 points to 13 at Ellis Park
in Johannesburg
. This was another important victory, because it confirmed that Natal were consistently good performers, and not just one-hit wonders. The Sharks' success in the 1990s continued, with the team making it to the following season's final as well, though they were not able to win back-to-back titles, going down to Transvaal
21-15 at home.
Natal provided virtually all the players who participated in the Sharks squads of the 1990s in first the Super 10 competition, and its later edition, the Super 12. Durban-based players continue to provide the bulk of the current Super 14 squad. Natal and the Sharks performed inconsistently in the early years of the Southern Hemisphere competition, but earned the respect of Antipodean clubs and reached the final of the second Super 10 competition in 1994. The team developed a particularly intense rivalry with the Auckland Blues, and Sharks-Blues contests are usually one of the highlights of Super rugby. The team also particularly enjoys defeating Brisbane's Queensland Reds, mostly due to a rivalry that dates back to the 1994 Super 10 final, won by Queensland, and the fact that Durban and Brisbane are considered by many to be almost 'twin cities', sharing a similar climate, population size, and relaxed, seaside atmosphere. Natal reached the final of the 1996 Super 12 competition where they lost to Auckland, and the Sharks reached the 2001 final where they lost to the Brumbies.
The Natal Sharks continued to feature in the 90's and won more Currie Cup titles than any other team in the same period. Natal won the 1995 Currie Cup, defeating Western Province 25-17 at home and then defeating the Golden Lions
in the 1996 decider, 33-15 at Ellis Park, their first back-to-back title. They made one other final appearance during the decade, against 1996 finalists, the Golden Lions, who defeated the Sharks 32-9 in Durban.
Following the 1999 final loss to the Golden Lions, the Sharks again made it to the final in 2000, but again lost, this time to Western Province in Durban 25-15. They faced Western Province again in the 2001 final in Cape Town, and again they lost 29-24. The Sharks did not feature in the 2002 final, but faced the Blue Bulls in the 2003 final, who defeated them 40-19 in Pretoria. The Sharks made it to the first-ever all-South African final of the Super 14 2007, losing narrowly to fellow South Africans The Blue Bulls 20-19. They were finally able to avenge these defeats by beating the Bulls 14-9 at home in the 2008 Currie Cup Final.
In 2010 the Sharks once again reached the Currie Cup final by defeating their old rivals the Bulls 16-12.
They contested the final at home against Western Province on Saturday 30 October 2010, and beat them 30-10 to win the coveted trophy once again. The Sharks failed to hold onto the Currie Cup in 2011 losing 42-16 to the Golden Lions
in the finals at Ellis Park
in Johannesburg
, although some say this was due to the loss of all the Springboks during the rugby world cup, the sharks did play the final with all their Springboks.
The Sharks are a very well supported team with significant support coming from across Kwa-Zulu Natal as well as in parts of the Eastern Cape. The Sharks average roughly 20,000 people at Currie Cup games and 35,000 people at Super Rugby games.
. Players such as Ryan Kankowski
, JP Pietersen
, François Steyn
, Tendai Mtawarira
, Lwazi Mvovo
, Patrick Lambie
and Keegan Daniel
are all graduates of the programme. The Academy also run a 'gap year' style programme for overseas players, specifically aimed at school leavers.http://www.thesharksacademy.co.uk/intro.pl The academy, which is accredited by SA Rugby and backed by a strategic partnership with the Sharks, offers a full-time, three-year course designed for young people with a passion for rugby and a desire to forge a career in the sport.
. The two main cities from which most of its players are drawn are Durban
and Pietermaritzburg
.
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality
-
Clermont
Riaan Viljoen
-
Cheetahs
Tim Whitehead
- Stormers
/Western Province
-
Saracens
Steven Sykes
- Leinster
Gerhard Mostert
- Stade Français Eugene van Staden - Biarritz
Riaan Swanepoel - Clermont
Mark Richards
- blitzbokke(national Sevens Team)
Stefan Terblanche
Roy McLean
, one time fly half also played for SA cricket team.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team that participate in the annual Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park
Kings Park Stadium
Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s...
. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby Union, founded in 1890. The team were known simply as 'the Banana Boys' until the mid-1990s.
The Sharks of the Super Rugby competition are basically the same team - they also play in Durban and draw their players from the KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
area. For most of Super Rugby history, the Sharks Super Rugby franchise drew players from a larger area than did the Natal Sharks, with the rugby unions of Border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
, based in East London and Eastern Province
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
from Port Elizabeth included in the Sharks franchise.
History
The Natal Rugby Union was founded in 1890. Natal made their first Currie CupCurrie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
final appearance in the 1956 season, where they met Northern Transvaal at home, Kings Park Stadium
Kings Park Stadium
Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s...
in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. Natal went down by just a single point, with Northern Transvaal winning the match nine points to eight.
Natal made the final again in the 1984 season, when they met Western Province
Western Province (rugby team)
DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
at Newlands Stadium
Newlands Stadium
Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue....
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. Natal lost the match nineteen points to nine. Natal met 1956 final opponents, Northern Transvaal, in the legendary 1990 final in Pretoria, though this time, Natal won the contest, claiming their first ever Currie Cup, with the final score being 18 points to 12. Natal won the match with Tony Watson's famous '9 point try'. With score at 12-9, Right Winger Tony Watson touched down to make it 13-12 in Natal's favour, but he was fouled upon scoring. Stransky converted to give Natal a 3-point lead, and his successful subsequent penalty gave Natal the six point lead which they held until the final whistle. The victorious side were captained by scrumhalf Craig Jamieson, who led the team on a ticker-tape parade through central Durban later in the week. The victory was especially poignant for being both Natal's first, and for occurring in the Union's Centenary year.
Natal were again in the finals only two seasons after their 1990 victory. They won their second Currie Cup title, defeating Transvaal by a single point, winning 14 points to 13 at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. This was another important victory, because it confirmed that Natal were consistently good performers, and not just one-hit wonders. The Sharks' success in the 1990s continued, with the team making it to the following season's final as well, though they were not able to win back-to-back titles, going down to Transvaal
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
21-15 at home.
Natal provided virtually all the players who participated in the Sharks squads of the 1990s in first the Super 10 competition, and its later edition, the Super 12. Durban-based players continue to provide the bulk of the current Super 14 squad. Natal and the Sharks performed inconsistently in the early years of the Southern Hemisphere competition, but earned the respect of Antipodean clubs and reached the final of the second Super 10 competition in 1994. The team developed a particularly intense rivalry with the Auckland Blues, and Sharks-Blues contests are usually one of the highlights of Super rugby. The team also particularly enjoys defeating Brisbane's Queensland Reds, mostly due to a rivalry that dates back to the 1994 Super 10 final, won by Queensland, and the fact that Durban and Brisbane are considered by many to be almost 'twin cities', sharing a similar climate, population size, and relaxed, seaside atmosphere. Natal reached the final of the 1996 Super 12 competition where they lost to Auckland, and the Sharks reached the 2001 final where they lost to the Brumbies.
The Natal Sharks continued to feature in the 90's and won more Currie Cup titles than any other team in the same period. Natal won the 1995 Currie Cup, defeating Western Province 25-17 at home and then defeating the Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
in the 1996 decider, 33-15 at Ellis Park, their first back-to-back title. They made one other final appearance during the decade, against 1996 finalists, the Golden Lions, who defeated the Sharks 32-9 in Durban.
Following the 1999 final loss to the Golden Lions, the Sharks again made it to the final in 2000, but again lost, this time to Western Province in Durban 25-15. They faced Western Province again in the 2001 final in Cape Town, and again they lost 29-24. The Sharks did not feature in the 2002 final, but faced the Blue Bulls in the 2003 final, who defeated them 40-19 in Pretoria. The Sharks made it to the first-ever all-South African final of the Super 14 2007, losing narrowly to fellow South Africans The Blue Bulls 20-19. They were finally able to avenge these defeats by beating the Bulls 14-9 at home in the 2008 Currie Cup Final.
In 2010 the Sharks once again reached the Currie Cup final by defeating their old rivals the Bulls 16-12.
They contested the final at home against Western Province on Saturday 30 October 2010, and beat them 30-10 to win the coveted trophy once again. The Sharks failed to hold onto the Currie Cup in 2011 losing 42-16 to the Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
in the finals at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, although some say this was due to the loss of all the Springboks during the rugby world cup, the sharks did play the final with all their Springboks.
The Sharks are a very well supported team with significant support coming from across Kwa-Zulu Natal as well as in parts of the Eastern Cape. The Sharks average roughly 20,000 people at Currie Cup games and 35,000 people at Super Rugby games.
The Natal Sharks Academy
The Natal Sharks are reputed to have one of the best academies in the world of Rugby UnionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Players such as Ryan Kankowski
Ryan Kankowski
Ryan Kankowski is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the Natal Sharks provincially, The Sharks in the Super 14 and he has been capped by the Springboks at international level....
, JP Pietersen
JP Pietersen
Jon-Paul Roger "JP" Pietersen is a South African rugby union footballer. He generally plays fullback or wing for the Sharks and the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup...
, François Steyn
François Steyn
Francois Steyn is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the South African national team; and Racing Métro 92 in Paris. He was a member of the South African team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup...
, Tendai Mtawarira
Tendai Mtawarira
Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira...
, Lwazi Mvovo
Lwazi Mvovo
Lwazi Mvovo is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks and Natal in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby He was schooled at Maria Louw High School. His debut for the Natal Sharks was in 2008 against Boland....
, Patrick Lambie
Patrick Lambie
Patrick Lambie is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby. He attended school at Clifton Preparatory in Durban before attending Michaelhouse from 2004–2008. He represented his country at the schoolboy level for his last two years of school...
and Keegan Daniel
Keegan Daniel
Keegan Rhys Daniel is a South African rugby union player.Born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary before moving off to one of South Africa’s best known rugby nurseries, Dale College Boy's High School.Daniel played Craven Week for the Border...
are all graduates of the programme. The Academy also run a 'gap year' style programme for overseas players, specifically aimed at school leavers.http://www.thesharksacademy.co.uk/intro.pl The academy, which is accredited by SA Rugby and backed by a strategic partnership with the Sharks, offers a full-time, three-year course designed for young people with a passion for rugby and a desire to forge a career in the sport.
The Natal Sharks Region
The Natal Sharks franchise covers the province of KwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
. The two main cities from which most of its players are drawn are Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
and Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
.
Current squad
All players are correct as of the end of the 2011 Currie Cup season.Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality
Frontrow: Bismarck du Plessis Bismarck du Plessis Bismarck du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays for South Africa internationally, the Natal Sharks in the domestic Currie Cup, and the Sharks in Super Rugby.-Career:... Jannie du Plessis Jannie du Plessis Jan Nathaniel "Jannie" du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for South Africa and the Sharks in Super Rugby... Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira Craig Burden Craig Burden Craig Burden born 13 May 1985 in Durban, South Africa is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a hooker.-External links:*... Kyle Cooper Kyle Cooper Kyle Cooper is a modern designer of motion picture title sequences.Cooper studied graphic design under Paul Rand at Yale University. Early in his professional career, Cooper worked as a creative director at R/GA - an advertising agency with offices in New York and Los Angeles... Wiehahn Herbst Julian Redlinghuys Dale Chadwick Eugene van Staden |
Second Row and backrow: Willem Alberts Willem Alberts Willem Alberts is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks and Natal in the Currie Cup and Super 14 He was schooled at Monument Hoer Skool.... Ross Skeate Ross Skeate Ross Carson Skeate is a rugby union player.He plays for the Sharks and Natal Sharks in the Super Rugby and Currie Cup competitions respectively... Jacques Botes Jacques Botes Jacques Botes born 28 November 1980 in Johannesburg, South Africa is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a flanker.-External links:*... Alistair Hargreaves Alistair Hargreaves Alistair Hargreaves is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a lock. He attended the Durban High School, where he was captain of rugby and headboy in 2004. He represented the first XV from 2002 to 2004. He captained the SA schools side in 2004... Keegan Daniel Keegan Daniel Keegan Rhys Daniel is a South African rugby union player.Born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary before moving off to one of South Africa’s best known rugby nurseries, Dale College Boy's High School.Daniel played Craven Week for the Border... (c) Jean Deysel Jean Deysel Jean Deysel born 5 March 1985 in Virginia, Free State, South Africa is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays number 7. Deysel is known for his bruising running with ball in hand, often "bumping" the first defender.... Ryan Kankowski Ryan Kankowski Ryan Kankowski is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the Natal Sharks provincially, The Sharks in the Super 14 and he has been capped by the Springboks at international level.... Jan Andre Marais Francois Kleinhans Marcell Coetzee Francois Kleinhans Anton Bresler |
Halfbacks and centers: Patrick Lambie Patrick Lambie Patrick Lambie is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby. He attended school at Clifton Preparatory in Durban before attending Michaelhouse from 2004–2008. He represented his country at the schoolboy level for his last two years of school... Meyer Bosman Meyer Bosman Meyer Bosman is a South African rugby player, who currently plays for the Sharks franchise. He is a flyhalf , but has recently showed great ability in the inside-center position... Charl McLeod Charl McLeod Charl McLeod born 5 August 1983 in Johannesburg, South Africa is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 and Currie Cup competitions. He plays as a scrum-half.... Steve Meyer Steve Meyer This entry is for Steve Meyer the rugby player. For the philosopher of science see Stephen C. Meyer.Steve Meyer is a South African professional rugby union player who plays in the position of flyhalf.... Frederic Michalak Frédéric Michalak Frédéric Michalak is a French rugby union footballer, who currently plays in South Africa for the Sharks in Super Rugby and the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup. His early career was spent playing for his hometown team, Toulouse, in the Top 14 and in the Heineken Cup... Marius Joubert Marius Joubert Marius Charl Joubert is a South African rugby union player who plays as a centre for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14. He has previously played for the Boland Cavaliers, Free State Cheetahs and Western Province in the Currie Cup and the Stormers and the Central Cheetahs in the Super 14... Adrian Jacobs Adrian Jacobs Adrian Jacobs is a South African rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks provincially and The Sharks in the Super 14. He predominantly plays Centre, but also plays Wing and even Fullback for The Sharks. Adi usually plays off the bench... Stefan Terblanche Stefan Terblanche Stefan Terblanche is a South African rugby union player. He plays mostly at fullback also has the ability to play at centre or on the wing.-Career:... Guy Cronje Ross Cronje Conrad Hoffmann Piet Lindeque Jacobus Reinach |
Wingers and full-backs Lwazi Mvovo Lwazi Mvovo Lwazi Mvovo is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks and Natal in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby He was schooled at Maria Louw High School. His debut for the Natal Sharks was in 2008 against Boland.... Odwa Ndungane Odwa Ndungane Odwa Ndungane is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. He plays on the wing.... JP Pietersen JP Pietersen Jon-Paul Roger "JP" Pietersen is a South African rugby union footballer. He generally plays fullback or wing for the Sharks and the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup... Mark Richards Mark Richards Mark Richards may refer to:*Mark Richards , Australian surfing champion*Mark Richards , US congressman from Vermont*Mark Richards , former English cricketer... Louis Ludik Gouws Prinsloo Chris Jordaan Sibusiso Sithole Luzuko Vulindlu |
In for 2012
Marius JoubertMarius Joubert
Marius Charl Joubert is a South African rugby union player who plays as a centre for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14. He has previously played for the Boland Cavaliers, Free State Cheetahs and Western Province in the Currie Cup and the Stormers and the Central Cheetahs in the Super 14...
-
ClermontASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
Riaan Viljoen
Riaan Viljoen
Riaan Viljoen is a professional South African rugby union rugby player. He was born in Carletonville, South Africa and his first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland and England in late 2009 where he played in one test against Italy on 21 November 2009 and two touring matches...
-
CheetahsCentral Cheetahs
The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. The franchise area encompasses the Free State and Northern Cape. In terms of Currie Cup unions, the Cheetahs draw from Free State...
Tim Whitehead
Tim Whitehead
Tim Whitehead is an American ice hockey coach. Whitehead is currently the head coach of the University of Maine. He has led the Black Bears to two championship game appearances. Previously, he was the head coach at the University of Massachusetts Lowell....
-
StormersStormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
/Western Province
Western Province (rugby team)
DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
Out for 2012
John SmitJohn Smit
John William Smit is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead...
-
SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
Steven Sykes
Steven Sykes
Steven Sykes, born 5 August 1984 in Middelburg, South Africa, is a rugby union player for Leinster with whom he signed a three year deal to play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup starting in the 2011/12 season. He plays as a lock. He is 6'6" tall and weighs 114 kg...
- Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
Gerhard Mostert
Gerhard Mostert
Gerhard Mostert is a professional rugby union player who plays for Stade Francais in the Top 14 He was schooled at High School Rustenburg.Mostert made his provisional debut for the Natal Sharks in 2010, playing against the Chiefs the Super 14 competition...
-
Stade Français Eugene van Staden - BiarritzBiarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
Riaan Swanepoel -
ClermontASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
Mark Richards
Mark Richards
Mark Richards may refer to:*Mark Richards , Australian surfing champion*Mark Richards , US congressman from Vermont*Mark Richards , former English cricketer...
-
blitzbokke(national Sevens Team)South Africa national rugby union team (sevens)
The South African national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Current squad:2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series 14-man squad :#Cecil Afrika...
Stefan Terblanche
Stefan Terblanche
Stefan Terblanche is a South African rugby union player. He plays mostly at fullback also has the ability to play at centre or on the wing.-Career:...
Natal Springboks
|
André Joubert André Joubert is a former South African rugby union player. He was capped 34 times at fullback for the Springboks in the early 1990s, and amassed a total of 115 Test Points from 10 tries, 17 penalties and 7 conversions.... Henry Honiball Henry William Honiball is a former South African rugby union footballer. He played at fly-half for South Africa during the post-apartheid era, although he was physically and technically acquainted in any back position.... Gary Teichmann Gary Hamilton Teichmann is a retired Rhodesian/Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player. He played number eight and was the captain of the South African national team, the Springboks, between 1995 and 1999... Joel Stransky Joel Theodore Stransky is a former South African rugby union rugby player, most notable for scoring all of South Africa's points, including the famous dramatic winning drop goal, against New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. He played as a fly-half.-Early life:Stransky was born in... Adrian Garvey Adrian Christopher Garvey was a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player. He played as a prop.Garvey played for Old Miltonians, Coastal Sharks, Natal and Newport Gwent Dragons.... James Small (rugby player) James Small is a former South African rugby union footballer who played on the wing for the Springboks. His international debut was against the All Blacks in 1992 and he made his final appearance against Scotland in 1997. He was part of the 1995 rugby world cup winning Springbok team, and famously... Pieter Muller Pieter Muller is a former international South Africa rugby union player. A centre, he was known for his strength and direct running. He played his club rugby Greystones R.F.C.in Ireland and for Cardiff Blues... Mark Andrews (rugby player) Mark Andrews is a former rugby player.He achieved his Junior Springbok colours in waterpolo while still at school. He switched to rugby as his main sport and achieved honours while at school and university... Ollie le Roux Andre-Henri "Ollie" le Roux is a South African rugby union footballer who currently plays for Leinster.-Rugby career:... |
AJ Venter AJ Venter is a retired South African rugby union footballer. Who played for the Sharks in the international Super 14 competition, and the Natal Sharks in the domestic Currie Cup competition. Venter has also played for the South African national team, the Springboks.Venter made his debut for South... Albert van den Berg Albert van den Berg is a South African rugby union rugby player. In 2010, he signed to play in Japan's Top League for Canon Eagles. His usual position is at lock. He played for the Sharks in the international Super 14 competition... Andre Snyman Andre Snyman is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is in the centres. Snyman has earned well over thirty Test caps for the national side, making his debut in 1996 against the All Blacks in Durban. Snyman joined English club Leeds Tykes for the 2003 season... Percy Montgomery Percival Colin "Percy" Montgomery is a retired South African rugby union player... Ricardo Loubscher Ricardo Ian Peter Loubscher, born 11 June 1974 in Colesberg , is a South African rugby union player, who has played for South Africa since 2002, and for the Sharks in the Super 14.He plays as a back .... Stefan Terblanche Stefan Terblanche is a South African rugby union player. He plays mostly at fullback also has the ability to play at centre or on the wing.-Career:... Trevor Halstead Trevor Halstead is a former South African rugby union footballer. His position is centre. He is 1.85m tall, weighs 100 kg, and won 6 caps for the Springboks... John Smit John William Smit is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead... Shaun Sowerby Shaun Sowerby is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays for Stade Toulousain in the top French rugby competition, the Top 14. Prior to playing at the Stade Ernest-Wallon he turned out for Stade Français Paris, who he moved to from the Sharks in South Africa... Deon Carstens Pieter-Deon Carstens, better known simply as Deon Carstens, is a South African rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Stormers in Super Rugby... Solly Tyibilika Solomzi "Solly" Tyibilika was a South African rugby union footballer, who played as a flanker for the Lions in the international Super 14 competition in his last years... Butch James Andrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership... Henno Mentz Hendrik Mentz born 25 September 1979 in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, South Africa is a rugby union player for the Lions in the Super 14 competition. He plays on the wing. Since his transition from the Sharks to the Lions in 2009, Mentz has been a consistently good player in an overall poor Lions team... Brent Russell Robert Brent Russell is a South African rugby union player. He is a "utility back" who plays for Clermont in the French Top 14. Previously, he had played with Saracens in England, and before that the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks in the Super 14 for many years... BJ Botha Brendon James Botha, better known as BJ Botha is a South African rugby union player. He is a prop for the Irish Province, Munster. He signed for Ulster on Thursday 14 August 2008 on a three year deal, and left the province in May 2011... Ruan Pienaar Ruan Pienaar is a South African rugby union footballer who plays either as a scrum-half or as a fly-half. He joined Ulster for the 2010/2011 Magners League campaign.... JP Pietersen Jon-Paul Roger "JP" Pietersen is a South African rugby union footballer. He generally plays fullback or wing for the Sharks and the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup... François Steyn Francois Steyn is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the South African national team; and Racing Métro 92 in Paris. He was a member of the South African team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup... Ryan Kankowski Ryan Kankowski is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the Natal Sharks provincially, The Sharks in the Super 14 and he has been capped by the Springboks at international level.... Tendai Mtawarira Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira... |
Odwa Ndungane Odwa Ndungane is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. He plays on the wing.... Bismarck du Plessis Bismarck du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays for South Africa internationally, the Natal Sharks in the domestic Currie Cup, and the Sharks in Super Rugby.-Career:... Jannie du Plessis Jan Nathaniel "Jannie" du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for South Africa and the Sharks in Super Rugby... Adrian Jacobs Adrian Jacobs is a South African rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks provincially and The Sharks in the Super 14. He predominantly plays Centre, but also plays Wing and even Fullback for The Sharks. Adi usually plays off the bench... Waylon Murray Waylon Murray is a current player in a provincial rugby union team, the Lions. He stands 190 cm tall and weighs in at 105 kg and plays the position of centre.-Career:... Keegan Daniel Keegan Rhys Daniel is a South African rugby union player.Born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary before moving off to one of South Africa’s best known rugby nurseries, Dale College Boy's High School.Daniel played Craven Week for the Border... Patrick Lambie Patrick Lambie is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby. He attended school at Clifton Preparatory in Durban before attending Michaelhouse from 2004–2008. He represented his country at the schoolboy level for his last two years of school... Willem Alberts Willem Alberts is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks and Natal in the Currie Cup and Super 14 He was schooled at Monument Hoer Skool.... Lwazi Mvovo Lwazi Mvovo is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Natal Sharks and Natal in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby He was schooled at Maria Louw High School. His debut for the Natal Sharks was in 2008 against Boland.... |
Roy McLean
Roy McLean
Roy Alastair McLean was a South African cricketer who played in forty Tests from 1951 to 1964. A stroke-playing middle-order batsman, he scored over 2,000 Test runs, but made 11 ducks in 73 Test innings....
, one time fly half also played for SA cricket team.
Currie Cup
| Season | Winners | Score | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament... |
9 - 8 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Kings Park Stadium Kings Park Stadium Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s... , Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 1984 | Western Province | 19 - 9 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Newlands Stadium Newlands Stadium Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue.... , Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
| 1990 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
18 - 12 | Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament... |
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is... |
| 1992 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
14 - 13 | Transvaal Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... |
Ellis Park Ellis Park Stadium Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |
| 1993 | Transvaal Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... |
21 - 15 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Kings Park Stadium Kings Park Stadium Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s... , Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 1995 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
25 - 17 | Western Province | Kings Park Stadium Kings Park Stadium Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s... , Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 1996 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
33 - 15 | Golden Lions Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... 1 |
Ellis Park Ellis Park Stadium Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |
| 1999 | Golden Lions Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... |
32 - 9 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Kings Park Stadium Kings Park Stadium Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s... , Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 2000 | Western Province | 25 - 15 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Absa Stadium, Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 2001 | Western Province | 29 - 24 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Newlands Newlands Stadium Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue.... , Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
| 2003 | Blue Bulls Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament... 2 |
40 - 19 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is... |
| 2008 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
14 - 9 | Blue Bulls | ABSA Stadium, Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 2010 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
30 - 10 | Western Province | ABSA Stadium, Durban Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism... |
| 2011 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division The 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division was the 72nd season in the competition since it started in 1889 and was contested from July to October 2011... |
Golden Lions | 42 - 16 | Natal Sharks Natal Sharks The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby... |
Ellis Park Ellis Park Stadium Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |