Know the opposition: Who are the Hollywoodbets Sharks?
Everything you need to know about the Sharks
Ahead of the historic encounter at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, here is everything you need to know about the All Blacks’ second opponents of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
Who are the Sharks?
Based in Durban, the Sharks represent KwaZulu-Natal and have developed into one of the most recognisable brands in South African rugby.
The professional Sharks franchise emerged during the early years of Super Rugby, building on the long history of the Natal Rugby Union, which was established in 1890.
They competed in the Super 12, Super 14 and Super Rugby competitions until South Africa’s leading franchises moved north following the 2020 season.
The Sharks now play in the United Rugby Championship, commonly known as the URC, alongside the Stormers, Bulls and Lions from South Africa and leading clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.
They also compete in European club competitions, while a Sharks team continues to represent the region in South Africa’s Currie Cup.
New Zealand-born John Plumtree is the Sharks’ head coach. Plumtree has deep connections to both countries, having represented Natal as a player before coaching Wellington, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.
A proud history
The Sharks have regularly challenged for major honours throughout the professional era.
They reached four Super Rugby finals, in 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2012, although the competition’s ultimate prize narrowly eluded them.
Their most agonising defeat came in the 2007 final at Kings Park. The Sharks led the Bulls as the match entered its closing stages, only for Bryan Habana to score a dramatic try after the final hooter. Derick Hougaard converted to give the Bulls a 20–19 victory.
The Sharks have enjoyed considerable success in South Africa’s historic Currie Cup, winning the competition eight times.
They claimed their first major international club trophy in 2024, defeating Gloucester 36–22 in the EPCR Challenge Cup final in London. The victory made the Sharks the first South African team to win a European club competition.
WATCH: Dave Rennie talks through the All Blacks side for Durban clash
The Shark Tank
The Sharks play their home matches at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban.
Widely known as the “Shark Tank”, Kings Park has developed a reputation as one of South African rugby’s most imposing venues.
The ground has been the home of rugby in KwaZulu-Natal for generations and has hosted franchise matches, Currie Cup finals and several memorable Tests between the All Blacks and Springboks.
One of the venue’s most famous international occasions came in 1998, when the All Blacks produced a remarkable comeback against South Africa.
Trailing 23–5 during the second half, New Zealand scored three late tries to secure a dramatic 24–23 victory, completed by Andrew Mehrtens’ match-winning conversion.
Kings Park also hosted the opening Test of the All Blacks’ 1976 tour of South Africa and will provide a demanding setting for their second franchise match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
WATCH: Throwback to the thrilling Durban clash between the Sharks and Crusaders in 2007
Sharks Top Stars
Siya Kolisi
The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain returned to the Sharks in 2024 after spending a season in France.
Kolisi began his professional career in the Western Cape but has developed a strong connection with the Durban side. His leadership, work at the breakdown and ability to carry the ball make him one of the most influential players in the Sharks squad.
Eben Etzebeth
One of the most experienced and decorated locks in international rugby, Etzebeth brings enormous physicality to the Sharks forward pack.
A two-time Rugby World Cup winner, he is a dominant lineout presence, powerful ball carrier and one of the Springboks’ most important leaders.
Ox Nche
Nche has established himself as one of the leading loosehead props in world rugby.
His scrummaging played a major role in South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, while his mobility and handling ability allow him to contribute well beyond the set piece.
André Esterhuizen
The powerful midfielder returned to Durban in 2024 after four seasons with Harlequins in England.
Esterhuizen combines direct running and physical defence with an effective passing and offloading game. He has also captained the Sharks during the most recent URC season.
Aphelele Fassi
An athletic fullback with pace, height and attacking instincts, Fassi is one of the Sharks’ most dangerous players in open space.
He is particularly effective when joining the backline, challenging for high balls or launching counterattacks from deep.
The wider Sharks squad also includes Springboks such as Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe, alongside exciting younger players including Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius and Phepsi Buthelezi.
Several leading Sharks players may be unavailable for the match against the All Blacks because of their involvement with the Springboks.
Legends of the Sharks
Some of South Africa’s greatest players have represented the Sharks.
Former Springbok captain John Smit became one of the defining figures in the franchise’s history, while fellow front-rowers Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis helped establish the Sharks as one of Super Rugby’s most physical teams.
Springbok captains Gary Teichmann and Francois Pienaar also played for Natal or the Sharks, while André Joubert, Henry Honiball, Mark Andrews and Pieter Muller were leading figures during the side’s rise in the 1990s.
Later generations featured stars such as JP Pietersen, Patrick Lambie, François Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski and brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis.
The Sharks’ strong pathway throughout KwaZulu-Natal has continued to produce players for both the franchise and the Springboks.
New Zealand connections
The most eye-catching New Zealand connection will come on the field, with All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu named on the Hollywoodbets Sharks bench to face his former national side in Durban.
Nonu played 103 Tests for the All Blacks between 2003 and 2015 and was a key member of the Rugby World Cup-winning teams in 2011 and 2015. He recently joined the Sharks in a high-performance mentorship role, working with the club’s next generation, while remaining available to play. The match against the All Blacks is set to mark his Sharks debut.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree was born in Hawera in New Zealand’s North Island and played provincial rugby for Taranaki before moving to South Africa.
He represented Natal for more than a decade and later coached the Sharks to Currie Cup titles in 2008 and 2010. Plumtree subsequently returned to New Zealand, coaching Wellington and the Hurricanes and serving as an All Blacks assistant before beginning another stint with the Sharks.
Former All Blacks first five-eighth Tony Brown played for the Sharks during the 2006 Super 14 season.
Brown appeared in eight matches and helped the Durban side recover from a difficult start to narrowly miss the semifinals. He later returned to South Africa as part of the Springboks’ coaching staff.
There was also a unique New Zealand connection when Terry Mehrtens, the father of All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens, represented Natal against the touring All Blacks in 1970.
WATCH: Every try Ma'a Nonu scored for the All Blacks
Previous meetings
The All Blacks have played six matches against the Sharks predecessor, Natal, winning five of the matches, with one drawn. They recorded wins in 1928, 1949, 1970, 1976 and 1992, with the 6-6 draw in 1960. The first two games were played at Alexandra Park in the city of Pietermaritzburg (1928) and Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban (1949) with all other games played at King Park Stadium.
Another historic challenge
The Sharks’ proud history, powerful playing identity and passionate Durban support make them a fitting opponent for the All Blacks.
The match comes just four days after the tour opener against the Stormers and will provide another demanding challenge as the All Blacks continue their first full-scale tour of South Africa since 1996.
The All Blacks face the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Tuesday 11 August at 5pm local time, which is 5am on Wednesday 12 August in New Zealand.
WATCH: The inaugural Super Rugby final from 1996 between the Blues and Sharks
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