A new era beckons for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, with head coach JP Pietersen naming a 67-man squad for the 2026/27 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season, ahead of the tournament’s commencement next weekend.
Following a productive pre-season, the Hollywoodbets Sharks enter the new campaign with a squad that has been carefully assembled to meet the demands of what promises to be an intensive and highly competitive nine-month season. Preparation has focused on building fitness, developing combinations and creating the depth and resilience required to compete across multiple competitions.
The 67-man squad, comprising 31 backs and 36 forwards, strikes a balance between youth and experience, with exciting young talent complemented by established international stars and players who have gained valuable experience at VURC level.
Amongst those named are Springboks Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Ox Nche and Edwill van der Merwe, alongside a group of emerging players who have featured in the World Rugby Junior Championship and Carling Currie Cup. Their inclusion reflects the Sharks’ commitment to developing the next generation while ensuring that the squad has the experience and composure required at the highest level.
The squad also includes a wealth of VURC and international experience, with the likes of the Hendrikse and Tshituka brothers, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Koch and Makazole Mapimpi bringing significant experience to the group, while veteran All Black Ma'a Nonu will also play an important mentorship role with the young backs in the squad.
With the demands of the VURC and EPCR competitions, squad depth and effective player management will be crucial. The Sharks have paid close attention to injury management during pre-season, while the return of players from injury will provide further reinforcement and competition for places as the campaign progresses.
For Pietersen, the objective is to build a team that is resilient, competitive and capable of responding to the challenges of a demanding season.
The VURC campaign gets underway on 26 September, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks opening their season at Hollywoodbets Kings Park against the Ospreys before welcoming Leinster to Durban in the following round.
Two challenging fixtures on home soil provide the perfect opportunity for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to establish their intent from the outset, with the backing and energy of their home supporters an important part of the equation.
As the Hollywoodbets Sharks enter this new chapter, the squad possesses all the ingredients required for a successful campaign: passion, resilience, experience, youth, resolve and determination.
A new era beckons. One Badge. One Team.
Hollywoodbets Sharks VURC Squad
• Albertus (Albie) Bester
• Andre Esterhuizen
• Bongi Mbonambi
• Bradley Davids
• Cameron Dawson
• Ceano Everson
• Coetzee le Roux
• Corne' Rahl
• Darrien Landsberg
• Deon Slabbert
• Dian Heunis
• Donavan Don
• Eben Etzebeth
• Eduan Swart
• Edwill van der Merwe
• Emile van Heerden
• Emmanuel (Manu) Tshituka
• Ethan Bester
• Ethan Hooker
• Fezokuhle (Fez) Mbatha
• Gianni Lombard
• Hanro Jacobs
• Hendre' Stassen
• Ivan van Zyl
• Jaco Williams
• Jaden Hendrikse
• Janco Purchase
• Jannes Potgieter
• Jason Jenkins
• Johan Momsen
• Jordan Hendrikse
• Juan Loots
• Jurenzo Julius
• Khuthadzo (Khuthi) Rasivhaga
• Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
• Liam van Wyk
• Litelihle (Lili) Bester
• Luan Giliomee
• Lyle Matthews
• Ma'a Nonu
• Makazole Mapimpi
• Matt Romao
• Matthew Fortuin
• Mnebelele Esethu
• Murray Koster
• Nemo Roelefse
• Nicholas (Nick) Hatton
• Phatu Ganyane
• Phendulani (Phepsi) Buthelezi
• Phikolomzi (PK) Sobahle
• Retshegofaditswe (Ox) Nche
• Rambo Kubheka
• Ross Braude
• Simphiwe Matanzima
• Simphiwe Ngobese
• Siya Masuku
• Stephan Lewies
• Suleiman Hartzenberg
• Thomas du Toit
• Thomas Dyer
• Tinotenda Mavesere
• Trevor Nyakane
• Vincent Koch
• Vincent Tshituka
• Vusi Moyo
• Yaw Penxe
• Zekhethelo Siyaya