Transfers: Incoming and outgoing players at the struggling Sharks

The Sharks have endured a nightmare season, with the star-studded team having managed just one win in the United Rugby Championship, which has left them bottom of the log.

It’s clear that there have been some struggles for the team to adjust to a new style being driven by coach John Plumtree in his first season back at the Durban-based side, while it hasn’t always seemed like everyone is on the same page.

Injuries to key players have also not helped the Sharks’ cause, but while this season has already effectively been consigned to the scrap heap, big plans are already under way for next season.

Plumtree has clearly identified key players he feels can take the team back to the top echelon of South African rugby, and Sharks fans will certainly be excited by the prospect of a 10-12 combination that could feature Jordan Hendrikse and Andre Esterhuizen.

Then there’s an all Springbok front row that could see Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane combine up front, while the likes of Coenie Oosthuizen and Vincent Koch come off the bench.

Another superb signing is that of talented Lions flanker Emmanuel Tshituka, who is blessed with an abundance of talent, while former Springbok Jason Jenkins will add further firepower to the forward pack.

As some players come in, the Sharks will of course also have to bid farewell to others as they balance their books. Four player departures have been confirmed, but the coastal side remain well covered in all these positions.

Sharks incomings:

• Andre Esterhuizen
• Jason Jenkins
• Trevor Nyakane
• Jordan Hendrikse
• Emmanuel Tshituka

Outgoings:

• Hyron Andrews (Sale Sharks, loan)
• Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Canon Eagles)
• Le Roux Roets (Sale Sharks)
• Werner Kok (Ulster)

The Sharks’ next URC match is against Irish side Ulster in Durban on Saturday, 23 March (15:00), which will be followed by a visit from Edinburgh (30 March).

Although focus has already begun to shift towards next season, Plumtree will want to see his side successfully start playing for pride.

“The Stormers, where they are right now as a team is where we want to be,” Plumtree told members of the media back in February.

“I just want us to get better and better and improve. It’s frustrating for me, because I haven’t had the opportunity to work with our full-strength pack, especially in these big derbies.

“There’s a difference between our first group and second group in what we’ve got. That’s a real challenge for us. We need to do well without our Springboks. We’ve had a lot of key players injured this year.

“If we can get more of them back, I reckon we will be a force. But we aren’t there yet. We will get there though.”