Sharks’ Phepsi Buthelezi speaks to the players during their United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions ADDRESSING his mates is Phepi Buthelezi a Sharks Academy graduate who has grown to captain the side in some high profile matches | Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
The Sharks’ commitment to transformation was recognised at the SA Rugby Awards evening on Thursday when they landed the inaugural President’s Award.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander handed over the trophy to KZN rugby president Graham Mackenzie and thanked the Sharks for their “unwavering commitment to transformation.”
It was under the stewardship of former Sharks CEO Ed Coetzee that the Sharks got ahead in the transformation game. Skilful black Africans were recruited at the top level and others were brought through the Sharks Academy.
Every Saturday the Sharks field a team that is representative of South Africa. The coaching staff doesn’t have to wonder about player colour in terms of representation targets because the squad is richly integrated with South Africans of all races, colours and creeds.
Alexander said: “The Sharks have set the standard for transformation and their contribution to the shared vision of South African rugby has been outstanding. Their governance must be commended and I am proud to give this award to the Sharks.”
Over the last two seasons, the Sharks have been captained by a succession of African players in Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Phepsi Buthelezi, Lukhanyo Am and Vincent Tshituka.
Alexander also praised the Sharks for the trophies they have won.
“The Sharks are the first South African team to win a trophy in Europe and we congratulate them on beating Gloucester in the final of the Challenge Cup. They later won the Currie Cup in dramatic fashion when they beat the Lions away from home in a wonderful final.”