Sharks ‘close in’ on Springboks star ahead of Siya Kolisi exit after being snubbed by Leicester favourite
Sharks flanker Siya Kolisi and an inset of Sale Sharks' Dan du Preez.
The Sharks are looking to bolster their back-row stocks following the confirmation that Siya Kolisi will be joining the Stormers next season.
The Springboks skipper will return to Cape Town in July next year to link up with John Dobson’s charges, with the double World Cup winner keen to be closer to his kids, who are unable to relocate to Durban.
While the Durban-based club is in the process of hiring a new head coach, with former winger JP Pietersen currently filling the position in the interim, that hasn’t stopped them from continuing the recruitment for next season.
Sharks close in on Dan du Preez
According to a report by IOL, the Sharks are close to finalising the signing of Springboks number eight Dan du Preez, who has been at PREM Rugby club Sale Sharks since 2019.
Du Preez and his twin brother, Jean-Luc, both started their professional careers at the Sharks after finishing their schooling at Kearsney College.
The report states that the Sharks have been searching for a big, ball-carrying number eight for some time, an area where they have been lacking. Du Preez has been just that for Sale since leaving the Durban-based side seven years ago and starred for the Manchester-based club alongside his brothers.
Jean-Luc left Sale at the end of last season to join French club Bordeaux, but is yet to play for the side following an injury he sustained while in camp with the Boks during the Rugby Championship. As for eldest brother, Robert du Preez, he will also be heading off to France after signing for Top 14 club Bayonne.
The report adds that the Sharks sounded out Leicester Tigers fan favourite Hanro Liebenberg, but they failed in their approach as the loose forward is keen on a return to the Bulls instead. Liebenberg extended his contract with Leicester in March 2024, but the length of the extension was not disclosed.
The Durbanites are set to welcome back lock Stephan Lewies from PREM club Harlequins, the report states. The second rower captained the Famous Quarters to Premiership Rugby glory in 2021 but relinquished the captaincy after a four-year stint ahead of the 2024/25 season.
He would add further depth to the Sharks’ lock stocks that currently includes Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Jason Jenkins and Marvin Orie, as well as the likes of Corne Rahl and Emile van Heerden.
Departures and re-signings
It’s also reported that Bok number nine Grant Williams will be leaving the Sharks at the end of the season and is likely to join a Japanese club.
Meanwhile, highly-rated Junior Bok Batho Hlekani is set to link up with the Lions in due course, having signed a deal to join the Joburgers earlier this year.
The Sharks have also announced a host of re-signings with Phepsi Burthlezi (2029), Fez Mbatha (2029), Litelihle Bester (2028), Thomas Dyer (2027), Simphiwe Ngobese (2028), Dian Heunis (2028), Phiwo Kubheka (2028), and Chijindu Okonta (2026) all committing their future to the side.
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Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Cebo Dlamini (Dragons) and Dian Bleuler (Munster) have all left the Sharks this season, while the club have confirmed the signing of Bath and Springboks star Thomas du Toit ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
