Sharks skipper André Esterhuizen will be assisted by three co-captains during the 2026-27 season.
Coach JP Pietersen has retained the Springbok centre as captain, with Emile van Heerden, Nick Hatton and Vincent Tshituka appointed as co-captains.
Esterhuizen, who was voted Players’ Player of the Year at last season’s Sharks Awards, will remain the team’s primary on-field leader.
Pietersen has also appointed Springbok prop Vincent Koch and loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi as club captains, with their roles focused on maintaining standards and accountability within the wider squad.
“André has been an outstanding leader for this team and I have absolute faith in him to keep setting that standard on the field,” Pietersen said.
“What makes this group special is the depth around him: Emile, Nick and Vincent Tshituka will share that responsibility as co-captains, while Vincent Koch and Phepsi Buthelezi will work alongside André and our coaching staff to drive standards and shared responsibility.”
While Esterhuizen and his co-captains will have primary responsibility for leadership on match day, Koch and Buthelezi will help drive the Sharks’ culture away from the field and provide a link between the players and team management.
“Every player in this squad has a leader close by, holding the same line,” Pietersen said.
“That means all of us – players and coaches alike – are accountable to one another. Nobody is above the standard; everybody is held to it equally. That is the culture our coaching team and this leadership group will drive throughout the season.”
The Sharks begin their URC campaign against the Ospreys at Kings Park next Saturday.
The wait is almost over 🫡
9 days until the 2026/27 @Vodacom #URC season
Tension is building, the pack is hungry and the coast is ready to erupt
25 September — we’re coming in loud, proud and on the hunt
#SharksRugbyClub #BlackWhiteForever #HollywoodbetsSharks… pic.twitter.com/rUBLd2r252
— Sharks Rugby Club (@SharksRugby) September 16, 2026
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Sharks skipper André Esterhuizen will be assisted by three co-captains during the 2026-27 season.
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