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Sharks (rugby franchise)
Encyclopedia
The Sharks are a South Africa
n rugby union
team competing in the Super Rugby competition (Super 10, 1993–1995; Super 12, 1996–2005; Super 14, 2006–2010; Super Rugby 2011- ). 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 any of the Super Rugby 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 Stefan Terblanche
. The side contains many other Springbok players, including current Boks captain John Smit
, Tendai Mtawarira
, JP Pietersen
, Adrian Jacobs
, and the brothers Bismarck
and Jannie du Plessis
. Former France international
Frédéric Michalak
is now in his second stint with the Sharks. In 2010, they were slated to feature Argentine
star Juan Martín Hernández
, but he was ruled out for the season with a back injury.
In 2011 the Super Rugby competition was expanded again to feature an additional team from Australia
changing the competition to the Super Rugby tournament. The Sharks were once again a formidable team in the early rounds of the competition but an injury to talismanic fly-half Patrick Lambie in the middle of the season caused the Sharks to lose form eventually managing to end sixth in the log and make the play-offs.
Natal competed in the inaugural Super 10 during the 1993 season. They were in Pool A along with Auckland, Western Samoa, Queensland and Otago. They finished second in the pool on 12 points, behind Auckland on 16. The next season they played in Pool b with New South Wales, Western Samoa, Auckland and Waikato, and finished at the top of the pool to face Pool A winners Queensland in the final in Durban. Natal lost the game 21 to 10. Ntal did not play in the 1995 series.
The Natal Sharks played in the first Super 12 season, in 1996. After 11 games the Sharks finished fourth in the final standings, enough to get them through to the finals. They defeated Queensland at Ballymore 43 to 25 to get into the first Super 12 championship game. They finished inaugural runners-up, losing to Auckland 45 to 21 in Auckland. The following season Natal finished fourth once again, but lost their semi-final against Auckland.
In 1998 the Coastal Sharks (as the team was now styled) won 7 of their 11 games, and finished in their best position yet, third place. They were however defeated by the Crusaders in the semi finals. The following season the Sharks missed the finals, finishing 7th. In 2000 the Sharks finished last in the final standings. However the next season they came second - at the time their best ever finish - and after defeating the Cats, went to Canberra for the final, which they lost against the Brumbies.
In 2002 the Sharks missed the finals after finishing 10th on the season table. The following season they came 11th. 2004 was a better season for the team, coming in at 7th after the regular season. However in 2005 saw them slump to 12th.
In 2006 the Super 12 expanded and became the Super 14. In the first Super 14 season the Sharks narrowly missed the finals, missing out on a 4th place finish on points difference
. In 2007 they were top of the table and became the first South African side to host a Super 12 or 14 final. The Sharks fought hard in the final but lost to the Bulls after a controversial try by Bryan Habana
.
The local press at first were very hesitant to accept the new name and branding and fans were polarised by the radical proposed change that flew in the face of rugby tradition and convention. After much controversy in the media (which very rapidly brought the proposed brand to everyone's attention) and a very successful season supported by great products and promotions the Sharks were embraced by all. The Sharks' marketing has been widely acknowledged in marketing and rugby circles as best practice and included as a successful case study in many marketing text books.
There was initially significant resistance from many quarters. This resistance was ascribed to the traditional attitudes of the rugby loving stake holders. However the strategy was successful and the success of the marketing has been widely acknowledged.
Crowd attendances, merchandising, season and suite holder season ticket sales have all been very successful. The brand is now internationally recognised and the branding strategy is reaping dividends for all its stakeholders.
in Durban
is the home ground of the Sharks. It is also known for sponsorship reasons as Mr Price
Kings Park, but locally known as "The Shark Tank". It currently has a capacity of 55,000. As well as the Sharks team, it is also used during the Currie Cup
for the Natal Sharks
, as well as soccer games. The grounds were originally built in 1891, but have been worked on numerous times. A major upgrade occurred for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
.
. The two main cities from which most of its players are drawn are Durban
and Pietermaritzburg
. The two Eastern Cape
unions, the Eastern Province Kings
and Border Bulldogs
were originally part of the franchise. With the formation of the Southern and Eastern Cape franchises, first the Southern Spears
and now the Southern Kings
, those two unions have now moved into the new franchise.
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
Lions Ross Cronje - Lions Gerhard Mostert
- Stade Français Mark Richards
- blitzbokke(national Sevens Team)
John Smit
-
Saracens
Riaan Swanepoel - Clermont
Steven Sykes
- Leinster
Stefan Terblanche
- Ulster
, with Hugh Reece-Edwards as his assistant. In 2000 Reece-Edwards took over as coach with Jake White
and Alister Coetzee as assistants. All three were replaced the following year however as Rudolph Straeuli
was appointed coach, with Kobus van der Merwe as his assistant. In 2002 Clinton Isaacs replaced van der Merwe as Straeuli's assistant. The partnership did not last however, as both were replaced before the season had finished. Kevin Putt was appointed as Straeuli's replacement, and Theo van Rensburg as assistant. Isaacs returned as Putt's assistant in 2003, and the two continued to coach the team until after the 2005 season. Dick Muir replaced Putt for 2006 and has been head coach since, with John Plumtree
as his assistant. Plumtree took over the head coaching position for the 2007 Currie Cup, whilst Muir took time off to add to his qualifications and learn from some of the most successful coaches in rugby history, such as Sir Clive Woodward
. Since 2008 John Plumtree has taken over as full time coach and Dick Muir moved into the position of Assistant Springbok coach and later on coach of the Lions.
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 competing in the Super Rugby competition (Super 10, 1993–1995; Super 12, 1996–2005; Super 14, 2006–2010; Super Rugby 2011- ). They are based 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...
and centred around the 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...
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 any of the Super Rugby 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
Southern Spears
The Southern Spears, were a South African rugby union franchise who were originally founded in 2005 and were intended to participate in the Super 14 from 2007 onwards; however, their proposed entry into the competition led to considerable controversy within the country's rugby establishment...
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 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:...
. The side contains many other Springbok players, including current Boks captain John Smit
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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, and the brothers Bismarck
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:...
and 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...
. Former France international
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
Frédéric 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...
is now in his second stint with the Sharks. In 2010, they were slated to feature Argentine
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
star Juan Martín Hernández
Juan Martín Hernández
Juan Martín Hernández is an Argentine rugby union player. A mainstay of the Argentina national team, he currently plays for the Paris club Racing Métro in the French Top 14 competition. His 2010 move to Racing brought him back to the city where he had begun his professional career in 2003 with...
, but he was ruled out for the season with a back injury.
In 2011 the Super Rugby competition was expanded again to feature an additional team from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
changing the competition to the Super Rugby tournament. The Sharks were once again a formidable team in the early rounds of the competition but an injury to talismanic fly-half Patrick Lambie in the middle of the season caused the Sharks to lose form eventually managing to end sixth in the log and make the play-offs.
History
The Natal Sharks played in the first Super 12 season, in 1996. After 11 games the Sharks finished fourth in the final standings, enough to get them through to the finals. They defeated Queensland at Ballymore 43 to 25 to get into the first Super 12 championship game. They finished inaugural runners-up, losing to Auckland 45 to 21 in Auckland. The following season Natal finished fourth once again, but lost their semi-final against Auckland.
In 1998 the Coastal Sharks (as the team was now styled) won 7 of their 11 games, and finished in their best position yet, third place. They were however defeated by the Crusaders in the semi finals. The following season the Sharks missed the finals, finishing 7th. In 2000 the Sharks finished last in the final standings. However the next season they came second - at the time their best ever finish - and after defeating the Cats, went to Canberra for the final, which they lost against the Brumbies.
In 2002 the Sharks missed the finals after finishing 10th on the season table. The following season they came 11th. 2004 was a better season for the team, coming in at 7th after the regular season. However in 2005 saw them slump to 12th.
In 2006 the Super 12 expanded and became the Super 14. In the first Super 14 season the Sharks narrowly missed the finals, missing out on a 4th place finish on points difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
. In 2007 they were top of the table and became the first South African side to host a Super 12 or 14 final. The Sharks fought hard in the final but lost to the Bulls after a controversial try by Bryan Habana
Bryan Habana
Bryan Gary Habana is a South African rugby union player who plays as a wing for the Western Province in the Currie Cup, the Stormers in Super 14, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup champions Springboks...
.
The Sharks Brand
After being informally called the Banana Boys for a substantial amount of time it was decided in 1995 that the whole offering would go ahead with new branding - The Sharks. The Sharks mascot was launched in 1995 but the rebranding went into full swing in 1996. To achieve this a substantial budget was allocated to refine this vision that would include the match, facilities, the pre and post match activities and the team.The local press at first were very hesitant to accept the new name and branding and fans were polarised by the radical proposed change that flew in the face of rugby tradition and convention. After much controversy in the media (which very rapidly brought the proposed brand to everyone's attention) and a very successful season supported by great products and promotions the Sharks were embraced by all. The Sharks' marketing has been widely acknowledged in marketing and rugby circles as best practice and included as a successful case study in many marketing text books.
There was initially significant resistance from many quarters. This resistance was ascribed to the traditional attitudes of the rugby loving stake holders. However the strategy was successful and the success of the marketing has been widely acknowledged.
Crowd attendances, merchandising, season and suite holder season ticket sales have all been very successful. The brand is now internationally recognised and the branding strategy is reaping dividends for all its stakeholders.
Stadium
Kings Park StadiumKings 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...
is the home ground of the Sharks. It is also known for sponsorship reasons as Mr Price
Mr. Price
Mr. Price is a publicly traded retail company based in South Africa. Founded in 1885, it has been traded on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange since 1952. The store has changed names several times since 1885, including John Orrs, Hub, the first Mr. Price opened in 1987 after the current owners...
Kings Park, but locally known as "The Shark Tank". It currently has a capacity of 55,000. As well as the Sharks team, it is also used during the 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...
for the 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...
, as well as soccer games. The grounds were originally built in 1891, but have been worked on numerous times. A major upgrade occurred for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
.
Franchise area
The Sharks franchise currently 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...
. The two Eastern Cape
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...
unions, the Eastern Province Kings
Eastern Province Kings
The Eastern Province Kings are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments and are governed by the Eastern Province Rugby Union...
and Border Bulldogs
Border Bulldogs
The Border Bulldogs are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Border Rugby Union and are based in East London....
were originally part of the franchise. With the formation of the Southern and Eastern Cape franchises, first the Southern Spears
Southern Spears
The Southern Spears, were a South African rugby union franchise who were originally founded in 2005 and were intended to participate in the Super 14 from 2007 onwards; however, their proposed entry into the competition led to considerable controversy within the country's rugby establishment...
and now the Southern Kings
Southern Kings
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa....
, those two unions have now moved into the new franchise.
Current squad
Sharks 2012 Super Rugby Squad,Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality
Props Dale Chadwick 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... Wiehahn Herbst 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... Julain Redelinghuys Eugene van Staden Hookers 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... 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:... Locks Anton Bresler 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.... 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... Jan Andre Marais 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... Loose Forwards 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.... 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:*... Marcell Coetzee 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... 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.... Frana Kleinhans |
Scrum Halves Conrad Hoffmann 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.... Cobus Reinach Fly Halves 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... Frédéric 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... Jacques-Louis Potgieter Jacques-Louis Potgieter Jacques-Louis Potgieter is a South African rugby player, he played mostly centre for the Bulls in the Super 14 2010, but is primarily a flyhalf. He made his Super 14 debut for the Bulls against the Cheetahs in 2007. In 2008 and 2009 he joined the Cheetahs, but was reunited with his Bulls teammates... Centres 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... 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... 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... 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.... Wingers Lwazi Ncedo Mvovo 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... Sibusiso Sithole Full Backs Louis Ludik 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... |
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
Guy Cronje - Lions Ross Cronje - Lions Gerhard MostertGerhard 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 Mark RichardsMark 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...
John Smit
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...
-
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...
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...
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...
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:...
- Ulster
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
Coaches
Between 1996 and 1999 the Sharks were coached by former Springbok coach Ian McIntoshIan McIntosh
Ian McIntosh is a Zimbabwean-South African rugby union coach. He served as head coach for the Springboks during the early 1990s.McIntosh grew up near Bulawayo....
, with Hugh Reece-Edwards as his assistant. In 2000 Reece-Edwards took over as coach with Jake White
Jake White
Jake White is a rugby union coach and former coach of the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks. His most notable achievements as coach include leading the Springboks to victory in 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2004 Tri Nations title...
and Alister Coetzee as assistants. All three were replaced the following year however as Rudolph Straeuli
Rudolph Straeuli
Rudolph August Wilkens Straeuli played rugby union in the positions of flanker and Number 8 for, and later coached, the Springboks rugby team. He also played for the Lions provincial team in the Currie Cup competition...
was appointed coach, with Kobus van der Merwe as his assistant. In 2002 Clinton Isaacs replaced van der Merwe as Straeuli's assistant. The partnership did not last however, as both were replaced before the season had finished. Kevin Putt was appointed as Straeuli's replacement, and Theo van Rensburg as assistant. Isaacs returned as Putt's assistant in 2003, and the two continued to coach the team until after the 2005 season. Dick Muir replaced Putt for 2006 and has been head coach since, with John Plumtree
John Plumtree
John Plumtree is the current head coach of the Natal Sharks, a rugby union team which competes in South Africa's national provincial competition, the Currie Cup. As a player Plumtree won two Currie Cup medals with the Sharks ; and as a coach he guided the Sharks to Currie Cup wins in 2008 and...
as his assistant. Plumtree took over the head coaching position for the 2007 Currie Cup, whilst Muir took time off to add to his qualifications and learn from some of the most successful coaches in rugby history, such as Sir Clive Woodward
Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward OBE is an English former rugby union player and coach. He was coach of the team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance.-Early life:Woodward was born in Ely...
. Since 2008 John Plumtree has taken over as full time coach and Dick Muir moved into the position of Assistant Springbok coach and later on coach of the Lions.
Captains
- Gary TeichmannGary TeichmannGary 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...
(1996–1999) - Wayne Fyvie (2000)
- Mark AndrewsMark 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...
(2001–2002) - Shaun SowerbyShaun SowerbyShaun 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...
(2003) - John SmitJohn SmitJohn 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...
(2004–2011) - Johann MullerJohann Muller (rugby player)Gysbert Johannes Muller, more commonly known as Johann Muller , is a South African Rugby Union player...
(2008–2010) - Stefan TerblancheStefan TerblancheStefan 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:...
(2010–2011) - Keegan DanielKeegan DanielKeegan 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...
(2011-Present)
Individual Records
- Most games in a career: 100 (John SmitJohn SmitJohn 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...
) - Most points in a match: 50 (Gavin Lawless, v Highlanders, 1997)
- Most points in a season: 193 (Patrick Lambie, 2011)
- Most points in a career: 361 (Butch James)
- Most tries in a match: 4 (Gavin Lawless, v Highlanders, 1997), 4 (Stefan Terblanche, v Chiefs, 1998)
- Most tries in a season: 13 (James SmallJames 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...
, 1996) - Most tries in a career: 29 (Stefan Terblanche)
- Most conversions in a match: 9 (Gavin Lawless, v Highlanders, 1997)
- Most conversions in a season: 25 (Gavin Lawless, 1997)
- Most conversions in a career: 64 (Henry Honiball)
- Most penalty goals in a match: 7 (Gavin Lawless, v NSW Waratahs, 1997)
- Most penalty goals in a season: 30 (Gavin Lawless, 1997)
- Most penalty goals in a career: 73 (Butch James)
- Most drop goals in a match: 1
- Most drop goals in a season: 2 (Butch James, 2003), Tony Brown (2006)
- Most drop goals in a career: 3 (Butch James)
Honours
- Super 12/14
- Runners-up: 19961996 Super 12 seasonThe 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once...
, 20012001 Super 12 seasonThe 2001 Super 12 season was the sixth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2001, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
, 20072007 Super 14 seasonThe 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at ABSA Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rugby... - Semi-finalists: 19971997 Super 12 seasonThe 1997 Super 12 season was the second season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1997, with each team playing all the others once...
, 19981998 Super 12 seasonThe 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
, 20082008 Super 14 seasonThe 2008 Super 14 season started in February 2008 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 31 May, when the Crusaders won their seventh Super Rugby title with a 20–12 victory over the Waratahs in front of the Crusaders' home fans. The 2008 season was the third of the expansion,...
- Runners-up: 1996
- Super Rugby
- Play-offs: 2011