Tera Mtembu and Jeremy Ward have been named as co-captains of the Sharks for the upcoming Currie Cup campaign.
Mtembu has captained the Sharks in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby before, while Ward previously captained the Junior Boks at the U20 Championship in 2016.
Commenting on their appointments, coach Sean Everitt said: ‘The decision to go with co-captains will ensure continuity on the field of play at all times. Both these players understand our diverse team culture and where we are heading collectively. More importantly, they have the respect of the team and are natural leaders.
‘I am a firm believer in the philosophy that every player should be a leader in their respective positions, however, you do need your captain to be a voice of reason and someone with a calm head that the team can look to for direction during pressure situations. We have this in Tera and Jeremy.’
The Sharks also confirmed that Super Rugby skipper Louis Schreuder will miss the early stages of the Currie Cup after suffering a broken toe.
Several of the Sharks’ U20 players – JJ van der Mescht, Dylan Richardson, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sanele Nohamba and Fezo Mbatha – have been included in the squad, while the return of veteran wing JP Pietersen to the Sharks’ playing ranks has also been confirmed.
Pietersen, who has signed a contract until the end of the 2020 Currie Cup season, says he is excited to be back in Durban.
‘I am excited to be back home and to be part of a familiar Sharks set-up. The Sharks have a group of talented young players in the system and I look forward to providing a mentorship role to these youngsters and playing in the black and white jersey once again’, said Pietersen.
‘The prospect of being up-skilled within the Sharks coaching development ranks is one that excites me. I am grateful for the opportunity and I am eager to give back to the game and more especially a team that believed in me and my potential.’
Forwards – Bandisa Ndlovu, Coenie Oosthuizen, Craig Burden, Cullen Collopy, Dylan Richardson, Fezo Mbatha, Gideon Koegelenberg, Hyron Andrews, Jacques Vermeulen, JJ van der Mescht, John-Hubert Meyer, Juan Schoeman, Kerron van Vuuren, Khutha Mchunu, Kwanda Dimaza, Luke Stringer, Michael Meyer, Mzamo Majola, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruben van Heerden, Tera Mtembu (c-c).
Backs – Aphelele Fassi, Boeta Chamberlain, Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch, Grant Williams, Ilunga Mukendi, Inny Radebe, Jeremy Ward (c-c), JP Pietersen, Kobus van Wyk, Leolin Zas, Louis Schreuder, Lwazi Mvovo, Marius Louw, Muller du Plessis, Murray Koster, Rhyno Smith, Sanele Nohamba.
Photo: Steve Haag/Hollywoodbets
