Sharks - a brief rugby history

Colours: Jersey: Black with White trim Shorts: Black with White trim Socks: Black
Home Ground: ABSA Stadium, Durban
Chairman:
CEO:

Website: www.sharksrugby.co.za

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Games Results 1996 - 2019 (PDF) Updated 25/6/19

Overall Statistical Results 1996 - 2019 (PDF) Updated 25/6/19

Sharks v's all other Super teams (PDF) New 25/6/19

The Sharks were formed in 1996. The current franchise represents the South African Rugby Regions of Natal Sharks & KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The 2019 head coach is Robert du Preez. His assistants are Ricardo Laubscher, Jaco Pienaar, Broom van Straaten & David Williams.

The 2019 squad is:

Forwards: Hyron Andrews; Ruan Botha; Phendulani Buthelezi; Cullen Collopy; Keegan Daniel; Jean Droste; Daniel du Preez; Jean-Luc du Preez; Thomas du Toit; Ross Geldenhuys; Gideon Koegelenberg; Stephan Lewies; Franco Marais; Fezokhule Mbatha; Khuthuzani Mchunu; John-Hubert Meyer; Tendai Mtawarira; Tera Mtembu; Coenie Oosthuizen; Tyler Paul; Chiliboy Ralapele; Dylan Richardson; Juan Schoeman; Luke Stringer; Akker van der Merwe; JJ van der Mescht; Philip van der Walt; Ruben van Heerden; Kerran van Vuuren; Jacques Vermuelen; Wian Vosloo.

Backs: Lukhango Am; Garth April; Curwin Bosch; Triston Blewett; Michael Claassens; Johan Deysel; Robert du Preez; Andre Esterhuizen; Aphelele Fassi; Marius Louw; Mzamo Majola; Makazole Mapimpi; Mthokozisi Mkhabela; Lwazi Mvovo; Sibilsiso Nkosi; Louis Schreuder (C); Rhyno Smith; Kobus van Wyk; Jeremy Ward; Grant Williams; Courtney Winnaar; Cameron Wright; Leolin Zas.

They play 8 Home games against: Blues; Stormers; Rebels; Bulls; Jaquares; Reds; Lions; Hurricanes.

They play 8 Away games against: Sunwolves; Bulls; Lions; Waratahs; Crusaders; Chiefs; Jaquares; Stormers.

They finished in 8th position at the end of the 2018 round-robin stages losing in a quarter final.

They have finished in the top 6 of the round-robin stages of the Super competition 11 times out of 23 years.

In the play-offs they have featured in 4 finals losing to the Blues in 1996, the Brumbies in 2001, the Bulls in 2007 & the Chiefs in 2012.

Their average finishing position is 6.70

They are 7th= on the New Zealand TAB fixed odds to win the competition @ NZ$26.00

Endorsements

Thanks for this great work. I hope you can soon raise the funding you need to expand these rugby records.

Just wanted to drop you a line to say that Trevor Howard from New Zealand Rugby has advised me/us (fellow REO’s) of your website. I have had the chance to go through it and must say that you have done an outstanding job in collating and publishing this information. I have, in turn, shared it with all my referees in my regions (for which there are a number of referees in your data base) and I have nothing but praise and complements for what you have done.

Often referees (and players) simply drop off the system and the only records are in books and word of mouth (especially the less known personnel) but for them (and me), to search through and find our names and details of our 1st class accomplishment is very flattering and a sense of pride is established as we show our children or colleagues/friends of years gone by. Of course this is helped by the ease of access (as opposed to searching through books and magazines).

Thanks again for your efforts (for which I can only imagine are enormous) and I hope you continue to enter the details and expand your website.

John Dustow (JD)
Referee Education Officer (REO)
Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union/Thames Valley Rugby Football Union.

I have seen the development of the website http://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/ over the past 12 months and genuinely believe it has the potential to become the online portal for rugby history and statistics in New Zealand. Outside of the Rugby Almanack there is nowhere that rugby followers can go to gain such information, and there is certainly nowhere online that comes close to the level of detail that Kerry’s website provides.

With a bit of support I think http://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/ can become the most comprehensive rugby database in the country, and in the process protect the legacy of our national game.

Hamish Forsman
Waikato Rugby Union Media Executive & Historian

Hi Kerry

I’ve been meaning to drop you a line for a while after literally stumbling across your website in a Google search.

Since I was a kid I’ve been a bit of a sports stats geek – over the years I have progressed from A4 exercise books with scribbles and cross-outs, to Word and Excel – much more user friendly and secure. My stats have always been my own hobby and pleasure and never shared with anybody.

Your website is nothing short of phenomenal, I can’t begin to imagine the time and research that has gone into it. As a resource for not only NZ rugby supporters, but statisticians round the world, it is second to none. I have yet to come across a site that offers so many easily searchable players and team stats in one area.

The one thing that struck me in doing my own NPC stats research is the vast number of players whose career is limited to one game (or part game) for a minor union. But there they are on NZ Rugby History, with their details recorded exactly the same as a Carter or a McCaw.

Your website is a priceless asset to the NZ rugby fabric, and I can only hope that you can access some kind of sponsorship or support of some kind from NZ Rugby or other avenues. It needs to be treasured and nurtured as it grows to a complete historic record of our game.

Regards
Paul Thomas

It gives me great pleasure to write this character reference about this website. There would not be a person in this country who doesn’t know that rugby is the national game of New Zealand. The passion runs deep and the profile and exposure of the sport is without peer. A fair chunk of our heroes come from the game and nothing affects the mental psychology of the people more than rugby. Not even politics.

Because of this rich feeling, discussions in society are often based around the game and on the players involved. Memories tend to play tricks on people. They can fade and forget and get things muddled up. For nearly 90 years New Zealand rugby enthusiasts have been superbly served by the Rugby Almanack. It remains the definitive source of information from each season despite the advancement of technology.

However, we must accept that technology has advanced and like rugby, we therefore need to embrace the good that comes with that change. www.rugbyhistory.co.nz is the best rugby history site that is available. It provides comprehensive records of the All Blacks, all the Super rugby sides and most impressively of all, places a large emphasis on the national provincial competition, which remains such a crucial part of the fabric in New Zealand.

Kery Geertson’s dedication to this growing rugby treasure can not be denied. It continues to grow, mature and impress. To paraphrase the late, great Terry McLean www.rugbyhistory.co.nz should be stored as a favourite website for every rugby lover; it provides facts and fairness and hours of one of life’s greatest pleasures – browsing.

Grant Hassall
Wannabe Rugby Historian
New Plymouth

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Testimonial

Hi, Kerry,
Your rugbyhistory website is amazing! I don't think there is a more complete source of rugby information in the world, not just on the internet. I've recommended it to several of my rugby-mad mates, who all return with glowing reviews. Have you ever thought of joining the National Rugby Museum in Palmerston North?
If I were to make a suggestion, I would like to see the match dates & venues alongside each result. It might settle a few debates on whether X fixture was on the 18th or 19th of September 1982, for instance, or whether Team Y has played in Town Z etc. If it's too much of a hassle, don't worry about it; you've already put truckloads of work into the site already!
Thanks, Samuel

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Sharks - a brief rugby history