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| Full name | The Sharks | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | South African Rugby Union | ||
| Emblem(s) | Shark | ||
| Founded | 1890 (Natal Rugby Union) 1995 (Sharks franchise) | ||
| Location | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | ||
| Region | KwaZulu-Natal | ||
| Ground(s) | Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium (Capacity: 54,000) | ||
| CEO | Eduard Coetzee | ||
| Director of Rugby | Neil Powell | ||
| Coach(es) | John Plumtree | ||
| Captain(s) | Lukhanyo Am | ||
| Most appearances | Tendai Mtawarira (159) | ||
| Top scorer | Curwin Bosch (872) | ||
| Most tries | JP Pietersen (39) | ||
| League(s) | United Rugby Championship | ||
| 2023–24 | 14th overall 4th South African Shield | ||
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| Official website | |||
| sharksrugby | |||
The Sharks (known as the Hollywoodbets Sharks as they are their title sponsor) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. They compete internationally in the United Rugby Championship and EPCR Challenge Cup, having competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020. They are centred on the Sharks union, also based in Durban and drawing players from all of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The team plays its home matches at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
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 the Super Rugby competition, but have reached the final four times, as Natal in 1996 and as the Sharks in 2001, 2007 and 2012.
The side sports many Springbok players, including Aphelele Fassi, Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Bongi Mbonambi, most capped Springbok Eben Etzebeth and double Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi. They have also featured many international stars including France international Frédéric Michalak and former Australian International Ben Tapuai.
Four times Super Rugby runners-up, in May 2024, Sharks finally won their first major honour, and became the first South African team to ever win a European trophy, by defeating Gloucester Rugby in the final of the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.