Although the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ 2025/26 season fizzled out in the end, coach JP Pietersen deserves credit for blooding a number of youngsters throughout the course of the campaign — a move that could pay dividends for the franchise in years to come.
With that in mind, we’ve selected six players we believe have the potential to become future legends at the Shark Tank.
Nick Hatton
Unlike some on this list, Hatton is yet to receive a first Springbok camp call-up, but that may prove to be in the best interests of the 23-year-old’s development, who, in the forms of Bok loose forwards Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi, has certainly had plenty in the way of experienced mentors from whom to learn.
Despite captaining the Hollywoodbets Sharks on the odd occasion this season (mostly during Bok resting protocols), as well as having led the side in the Currie Cup, the Hilton Old Boy is yet to establish himself in the out and out starting XV. Given his obvious leadership credentials and how highly he is rated by his head coach, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that changing by the end of the next campaign, especially with Kolisi moving to Cape Town.
And like others on this list, the fact that he was born and bred in KZN makes his potential future “legend” status even more probable if he makes good on his talent.
Vusi Moyo
Under-20 Rugby Championship-winning Moyo debuted for the Sharks in the final game of the URC season last week against Zebre, scoring a try and earmarking himself as another major future prospect. Having just been named in the upcoming U20 International Series in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, the rugby education the KES Old Boy is receiving at this stage of his development (he’s currently 19) will pay huge dividends for Pietersen if Moyo decides to make Durban his home for the long term.
Jordan Hendrikse will need to find consistency for the Sharks fast, because Moyo is coming for that No 10 jersey.
Zekhethelo Siyaya
With Aphelele Fassi still on the Sharks’ books, it may yet be some time before we truly see Siyaya come into his own at franchise level, but all indications are that he’s well up to the task.
Following injuries to Fassi, Jaco Williams and Luan Giliomee, the 18-year-old earned an unexpected URC debut against Ospreys in Wales towards the backend of the Sharks’ campaign, and he looked right at home.
The Westville prodigy followed that up by producing more sparking showings against Edinburgh, Benetton (at flyhalf) and Zebre, and his recent call-up to the Springboks’ alignment camp speaks volumes about how highly he is rated within SA Rugby.
The Sharks have a real gem on their hands and must do all they can to lock in his services for the foreseeable future.
Phatu Ganyane
Having the inimitable Ox Nche in your ranks would be a massive boon for any side, but there can also be unexpected knock-on effects. For the Sharks, one of those came in the form of fellow Springbok and local product Ntuthuko Mchunu’s departure to Cape Town in the understandable pursuit of more game time at franchise level.
Despite that loss, the rise of Sharks Breakthrough Player of the Year Ganyane this season has been phenomenal to watch, with the talented loosehead starting a number of matches and impressing on each occasion. The 23-year-old Glenwood product is a gifted scrummager who Pietersen will hope can fill in when Nche is on international duty going forward — at least until the inevitable call-up from Dr Johan Erasmus arrives for Ganyane himself.
Jaco Williams
‘Williams is an absolute greyhound when he takes flight with ball in hand and possesses all the natural speed and flair needed to have a long career at the top of the game. The Glenwood Old Boy was called up by Rassie Erasmus to the Boks’ latest alignment camp, and it’s no surprise given how much he has done in a Sharks jersey in such a limited amount of time.
Another huge string in his bow is his aerial game, with the 20-year-old able to play fullback as well as his primary position out on the left wing. Given the amount of injuries the Sharks have had to contend with this term, versatility will certainly be a precious commodity in the seasons ahead.
Matt Romao
Injury may have curtailed Romao this season, but the powerful flanker should be back better than ever next term. Another former SA U-20 player, the Drostdy Technical High School product certainly has the pedigree to make a splash in the black and white jersey, stacked though Pietersen’s loose forward stocks are.
He showed promise whenever he was deployed in the URC, while his past Currie Cup performances have also been eye-catching. Romao may still be quite raw as a fully-fledged pro, but it won’t be long before he’s challenging for more starting minutes.
