No 8 Nick Hatton says the Sharks are still shaping their identity as JP Pietersen’s men look to build on last season’s revival.
Pietersen took over from John Plumtree last December with the Sharks languishing in 14th place on the URC log with just one win from six matches. The Durban-based club eventually climbed to 10th, missing the playoffs but showing signs of progress under the former Springbok wing.
Ahead of Saturday’s URC season opener against the Ospreys at Kings Park, Hatton was asked if it felt like the start of a new era at the Sharks.
“There’s a lot of excitement, certainly,” he said. “In this pre-season, the big group we’ve had and then guys joining from the Currie Cup, it’s really exciting where we’re going.
“In the pre-season, we’ve been challenged a lot by the coaches in terms of stuff we’re trying to do on the field. And then as players, we’re trying to challenge each other off it.
“We’re not the Sharks team we want to be yet, but we’re trying to become a Sharks team with a DNA in the way we want to play and the way we want to be as a squad.
“I think we’re certainly heading in the right direction. It’s just really important now going into the season that we do our best to show that on the pitch.”
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Hatton will have an important role in driving those standards after being named as one of three co-captains for the 2026-27 season, alongside Emile van Heerden and Vincent Tshituka.
The trio will support Sharks skipper André Esterhuizen, while Vincent Koch and Phepsi Buthelezi have been appointed club captains as part of a new leadership structure designed to spread responsibility throughout the squad.
“It’s a long season and we need a strong leadership group,” Hatton said.
“We’re all trying to just drive the standards of the club and drive the culture. We’ve worked hard as a squad in the pre-season to build our culture and build our cohesion and spend a lot of time together.
“So we’re just trying to drive that culture and ensure the standards on and off the field are driven and shown well.”
KOCH: Sharks want to win trophies
The 23-year-old’s elevation in the leadership group comes after it was confirmed that he has extended his stay with the Sharks until 2029.
“I love the Sharks. I’m a Durban boy. For me, I just want to see the Sharks do as well as possible and I want to be at the Sharks to experience that.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Hatton: Sharks developing new DNA appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
No 8 Nick Hatton says the Sharks are still shaping their identity as JP Pietersen’s men look to build on last season’s revival.
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