JP Pietersen headlines the Sharks Currie Cup squad

The Sharks Currie Cup Head Coach, Sean Everitt has announced that Tera Mtembu and Jeremy Ward will co-captain the Sharks in the 2019 Currie Cup campaign.

Tera Mtembu  is no stranger to the captaincy role having captained the Sharks in the Super Rugby and Currie Cup previously.  He is a respected team man and will provide the necessary mentorship and support to Jeremy, who himself has always displayed strong leadership qualities having captained the SA/20 team at the World Championship in 2016.

Super Rugby captain, Louis Schreuder has a broken toe and will miss the first few matches of the competition, therefore could not be considered.

Commenting on their appointments, 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.”

Everitt, also announced an exciting 39-man squad for the Currie Cup competition. Andrew Evans and Tyler Paul have not been included, at this stage, due to their current rehabilitation from long-term injuries.

Amongst the players named is JP Pietersen, a legend of Sharks rugby who makes a return to Durban, after spending some time abroad. Pietersen has been contracted until Currie Cup 2020, whereafter he will be developed within the age-group system for a future coaching role.

“I am excited to be back home and to be part of a familiar Sharks set-up.  The Cell C Sharks have a group of talented young players in the system and I look forward to providing a mentorship role to these young players and playing in the black and white jersey once again”, added Pietersen.

“The prospect of being upskilled 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.”

Squad

Hyron Andrews
Curwin Bosch
Craig Burden
Phepsi Buthelezi
Tera Mtembu (c)
Jeremy Ward (c)
Boeta Chamberlain
Cullen Collopy
Kwanda Dimaza
Aphelele Fassi
Gideon Koegelenberg
Murray Koster
Marius Louw
Mzamo Majola
Fezo Mbatha
Khutha Mchunu
John-Hubert Meyer
Michael Meyer
Ilunga Mukendi
Lwazi Mvovo
Bandisa Ndlovu
Sanele Nohamba
Coenie Oosthuizen
JP Pietersen
Muller du Plessis
Inny Radebe
Dylan Richardson
Juan Schoeman
Louis Schreuder
Rhyno Smith
Luke Stringer
JJ van der Mescht
Ruben van Heerden
Kerron van Vuuren
Kobus van Wyk
Jacques Vermeulen
Grant Williams
Cameron Wright
Leolin Zas