Sharks look forward to the future

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Head coach John Plumtree has fortified the Sharks’ pack for the foreseeable future by securing the services of two of SA’s rising scrummagers and an exciting loose forward.

Hooker Ethan Bester, loosehead prop Phatu Ganyane and flanker Tino Mavesere have put pen to paper on contract extensions that will keep them at Kings Park until June 2028 and 2027, respectively.

A Junior Springbok standout in 2024, the 20-year-old Bester has already made seven appearances for the Sharks across the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup this season, including one start.

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He is seen as a strong contender to challenge Fez Mbatha and Dylan Richardson to succeed two-time Springbok world champion Bongi Mbonambi in the No 2 jersey.

Ganyane (22) has been an SA U20 regular for the last two years and with Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu set to join the Stormers next season and Trevor Nyakane sidelined after ankle surgery, the youngster is primed for a bigger role in the front row.

Zimbabwe international Mavesere played Varsity Shield from 2021 to 2022 for UWC, where his appearances earned him a move to the Sharks.

He originally signed with the franchise in 2021 but it wasn’t until 2023 that he debuted for the team in the Currie Cup, before a knee injury ruled him out after showing promise in the early stages of the Vodacom URC and Challenge Cup last season.

The 26-year-old has made an impressive return this season, with his breakaway score against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus a strong candidate for try of the season.

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Image

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