Four Springboks included in the Sharks’ 17-man player clearout

Following the conclusion of John Plumtree’s first season back in charge of the Sharks, the Durban-based side has confirmed the list of departing players.

Three players left the Sharks during the season, namely lock Hyron Andrews, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and prop Joel Hintz, with 14 names now added to the list.

The Sharks endured a challenging United Rugby Championship campaign, winning just four of their 18 regular season matches, but did claim their first international competition silverware, defeating Gloucester in the Challenge Cup final.

Seemingly looking to rebuild the squad ahead of next season, Plumtree and director of rugby Neil Powell have allowed several players’ contracts to expire while others have been released early.

Sharks’ departees

Front-rower Hintz returned to Australia, linking up with the Western Force after just two appearances off the bench for the Sharks, while lock Andrews headed to England, joining Premiership outfit Sale Sharks on a short-term deal. He has since signed an extension to remain with Alex Sanderson’s side for the 2024/25 campaign.

Meanwhile, Janse van Rensburg was set to link up with Bordeaux-Begles next season but was granted an early release to join Japanese club the Canon Eagles following the injuries of fellow Springboks Jesse Kriel and Faf de Klerk.

Meanwhile, Werner Kok and Boeta Chamerblain have secured their new clubs, with the former joining Irish side Ulster and the latter linking up with the Bulls in Pretoria. Lock Le Roux Roets is off to the Premiership, where he will join Andrews at Sale Sharks.

Sharks’ centurion Curwin Bosch is joining Pro D2 club Brive after signing a two-year deal with the French side, who also announced the signing of Courtney Lawes.

Farewell brothers and all the best with your new chapters🖤 pic.twitter.com/VeOWl3O8g5

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) June 4, 2024

Sikhumbuzo Notshe was linked with a move to the Stormers, but John Dobson has stated that his return to Cape Town is unlikely to occur, but his departure from the Sharks has been confirmed alongside fellow Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi.

Springbok forward ‘unlikely’ to re-join Stormers, Bulls swoop for Aphiwe Dyantyi

The remaining players departing the Sharks whose future is still yet to be officially confirmed are: Simon Miller, Zee Mkhabela, Anthony Volmink, Lionel Cronje, Kerron van Vuuren, Murray Koster, Nevaldo Fleur and Kabous Bezuidenhout.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have already confirmed a host of new signings ahead of the 2024/25 season with Springboks Trevor Nyakane, Andre Esterhuizen and Jason Jenkins penning deals with the Durban-based side along with Jordan Hendrikse and Emmanuel Tshituka.

READ MORE: United Rugby Championship Ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers