# 2018 Sharks (rugby union) season

In 2018, the Sharks participated in the 2018 Super Rugby competition, the 23rd edition of the competition since its inception in 1996. They were included in the South African Conference of the competition, along with the Bulls, Jaguares, Lions and Stormers.
The Sharks won seven, drew one and lost eight of their matches during the regular season of the competition to finish third in the South African Conference, and in 8th place overall to qualify for the finals as a wildcard team. They lost in their qualifier match to the Crusaders.

## Personnel
### Squad

The following players were named in the Sharks squad for the 2018 Super Rugby season:
| 2018 Sharks squad |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Super Rugby | Super Rugby | Sharks | Sharks |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Apps | Pts | Apps | Pts |
| Lukhanyo Am | Centre | (1993-11-28)28 November 1993 (aged 24) | 25 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
| Hyron Andrews | Lock | (1995-07-06)6 July 1995 (aged 22) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Garth April | Fly-half | (1991-07-16)16 July 1991 (aged 26) | 20 | 97 | 20 | 97 |
| Tristan Blewett | Centre | (1996-08-26)26 August 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curwin Bosch | Fly-half | (1997-06-25)25 June 1997 (aged 20) | 16 | 156 | 16 | 156 |
| Ruan Botha | Lock | (1992-01-10)10 January 1992 (aged 26) | 42 | 10 | 16 | 5 |
| Michael Claassens | Scrum-half | (1982-10-28)28 October 1982 (aged 35) | 58 | 5 | 29 | 5 |
| Keegan Daniel | Loose forward | (1985-03-05)5 March 1985 (aged 32) | 117 | 80 | 117 | 80 |
| Johan Deysel | Centre | (1991-09-26)26 September 1991 (aged 26) | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Jean Droste | Lock | (1994-01-21)21 January 1994 (aged 24) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dan du Preez | Loose forward | (1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 22) | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| Jean-Luc du Preez | Loose forward | (1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 22) | 27 | 15 | 27 | 15 |
| Robert du Preez | Fly-half | (1993-07-30)30 July 1993 (aged 24) | 14 | 107 | 0 | 0 |
| Thomas du Toit | Prop | (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 22) | 36 | 20 | 36 | 20 |
| André Esterhuizen | Centre | (1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 23) | 40 | 15 | 40 | 15 |
| Ross Geldenhuys | Prop | (1983-04-19)19 April 1983 (aged 34) | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gideon Koegelenberg | Lock | (1994-11-25)25 November 1994 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stephan Lewies | Lock | (1992-01-27)27 January 1992 (aged 26) | 51 | 5 | 51 | 5 |
| Marius Louw | Centre | (1995-10-24)24 October 1995 (aged 22) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mzamo Majola | Prop | (1995-02-20)20 February 1995 (aged 22) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Makazole Mapimpi | Wing | (1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 27) | 14 | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| Franco Marais | Hooker | (1992-09-23)23 September 1992 (aged 25) | 34 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| Khutha Mchunu | Prop | (1997-07-01)1 July 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John-Hubert Meyer | Prop | (1993-09-19)19 September 1993 (aged 24) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tendai Mtawarira | Prop | (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 32) | 136 | 25 | 136 | 25 |
| Tera Mtembu | Loose forward | (1990-12-09)9 December 1990 (aged 27) | 40 | 15 | 40 | 15 |
| Lwazi Mvovo | Wing | (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 31) | 112 | 170 | 112 | 170 |
| S'busiso Nkosi | Wing | (1996-01-21)21 January 1996 (aged 22) | 7 | 15 | 7 | 15 |
| Coenie Oosthuizen | Prop | (1989-03-22)22 March 1989 (aged 28) | 102 | 50 | 28 | 10 |
| Tyler Paul | Loose forward | (1995-01-20)20 January 1995 (aged 23) | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiliboy Ralepelle | Hooker | (1986-09-11)11 September 1986 (aged 31) | 93 | 30 | 24 | 10 |
| Juan Schoeman | Prop | (1991-09-18)18 September 1991 (aged 26) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Louis Schreuder | Scrum-half | (1990-04-25)25 April 1990 (aged 27) | 80 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Rhyno Smith | Fullback | (1993-02-11)11 February 1993 (aged 25) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Akker van der Merwe | Hooker | (1991-06-17)17 June 1991 (aged 26) | 49 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Philip van der Walt | Loose forward | (1989-07-14)14 July 1989 (aged 28) | 73 | 30 | 24 | 5 |
| Kerron van Vuuren | Hooker | (1995-05-23)23 May 1995 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kobus van Wyk | Wing | (1992-01-22)22 January 1992 (aged 26) | 43 | 80 | 13 | 35 |
| Jacques Vermeulen | Loose forward | (1995-02-08)8 February 1995 (aged 23) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Wian Vosloo | Loose forward | (1995-02-15)15 February 1995 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeremy Ward | Centre | (1996-01-10)10 January 1996 (aged 22) | 15 | 5 | 13 | 5 |
| Grant Williams | Scrum-half | (1996-07-22)22 July 1996 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Courtney Winnaar | Fullback | (1997-03-27)27 March 1997 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameron Wright | Scrum-half | (1994-04-20)20 April 1994 (aged 23) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Leolin Zas | Wing | (1995-10-20)20 October 1995 (aged 22) | 15 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 17 February 2018, the date of the opening round of the competition. |

## Standings

The final standings for the 2018 Super Rugby season were:
2018 Super Rugby: Overall standings :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Crusaders | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 542 | 295 | +247 | 77 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 63 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 2 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 519 | 435 | +84 | 77 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 46 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 3 | Waratahs | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 557 | 445 | +112 | 74 | 59 | 4 | 2 | 44 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals. |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 474 | 343 | +131 | 66 | 43 | 5 | 2 | 51 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 5 | Chiefs | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 463 | 368 | +95 | 60 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 49 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 6 | Highlanders | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 437 | 445 | −8 | 59 | 57 | 3 | 1 | 44 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 7 | Jaguares | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 409 | 418 | −9 | 51 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 38 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 8 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 437 | 442 | −5 | 49 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals. |
| 9 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 440 | 461 | −21 | 57 | 60 | 5 | 3 | 36 | |
| 10 | Brumbies | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 393 | 422 | −29 | 56 | 52 | 2 | 4 | 34 | |
| 11 | Stormers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 390 | 423 | −33 | 46 | 56 | 0 | 5 | 29 | |
| 12 | Bulls | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | −61 | 59 | 66 | 2 | 3 | 29 | |
| 13 | Reds | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 389 | 501 | −112 | 49 | 66 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 14 | Blues | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 378 | 509 | −131 | 50 | 66 | 2 | 4 | 22 | |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 404 | 664 | −260 | 48 | 99 | 0 | 2 | 14 | |
South African Conference :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 519 | 435 | +84 | 77 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 46 |
| 2 | Jaguares | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 409 | 418 | −9 | 51 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 38 |
| 3 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 437 | 442 | −5 | 49 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 36 |
| 4 | Stormers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 390 | 423 | −33 | 46 | 56 | 0 | 5 | 29 |
| 5 | Bulls | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | −61 | 59 | 66 | 2 | 3 | 29 |
* Competition rules
* Qualification: Eight teams will qualify to the finals, with their final positions in the overall log determining their seedings in the quarter-finals. The conference winners will be seeded #1 to #3 for the quarter-finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards will be seeded as #4 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages. In the quarter-finals, the three conference winners and the highest-ranked wildcard team will host the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner (Team #1) hosting the fifth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #8) in quarter-final 1, the second-seeded conference winner (Team #2) hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #7) in quarter-final 3, the third-seeded conference winner (Team #3) hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry (Team #6) in quarter-final 4 and the top-seeded wildcard entry (Team #4) hosting the second-seed wildcard entry (Team #5) in quarter-final 2. The Quarter Final winners will progress to the semi-finals, where the winners of quarter-finals 1 and 2 will play each other, as well as the winners of quarter-finals 3 and 4, each tie hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the semi-finals will progress to the Final, again to be held at the venue of the highest-seeded team.
* Tournament points breakdown: * 4 tournament points for a win * 2 tournament points for a draw * 1 tournament bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 tournament bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match
* Classification: Teams standings are calculated as follows: * Conference leaders * Tournament points * Number of games won * Overall points difference * Number of tries scored * Overall try difference * Coin toss

### Round-by-round

The table below shows the Sharks' progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position:
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | QF | SF | Final |
| Opposition | LIO | Bye | WAR | SUN | BRU | REB | BLU | HUR | BUL | STO | Bye | HIG | BUL | CHI | JAG | Bye | LIO | STO | JAG | CRU | — | — |
| Cumulative Points | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | Lost | — | — |
| Position (overall) | 5th | 11th | 12th | 7th | 9th | 10th | 10th | 9th | 10th | 9th | 11th | 8th | 10th | 8th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 8th | | — | — |
| Position (SA Conf.) | 3rd | 4th | 4th | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | 5th | 3rd | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | | — | — |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The Sharks played the following matches during the 2018 Super Rugby season:

## Player statistics

The Super Rugby appearance record for players that represented the Sharks in 2018 is as follows:
| 2018 Sharks player statistics |
| Player name | LIO | WAR | SUN | BRU | REB | BLU | HUR | BUL | STO | HIG | BUL | CHI | JAG | LIO | STO | JAG | CRU | SF | F | | App | Try | Con | Pen | DG | Pts |
| Juan Schoeman | 1 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 17 | — | — | | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Franco Marais | 2 | 2 | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | 16 | | 16 | 16 | | | | | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thomas du Toit | 3 | 3 | | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Ruan Botha | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Stephan Lewies | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | | | | | — | — | | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philip van der Walt | 6 | | | | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacques Vermeulen | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | | | | 20 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Dan du Preez | 8 | | | | | | | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | — | — | | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Cameron Wright | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | — | — | | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Robert du Preez | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | — | | 17 | 5 | 44 | 34 | 0 | 215 |
| Makazole Mapimpi | 11 | | 11 | 11 | | | | | 11 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 23 | 11 | | 23 | 23 | — | — | | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| André Esterhuizen | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | — | — | | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Lukhanyo Am | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| S'busiso Nkosi | 14 | 11 | 14 | | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | | 14 | | | — | — | | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Lwazi Mvovo | 15 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | — | — | | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Akker van der Merwe | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Tendai Mtawarira | 17 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 1 | — | — | | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John-Hubert Meyer | 18 | 18 | 3 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | | | | | | | 18 | 18 | 18 | — | — | | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hyron Andrews | 19 | 19 | | | 19 | 19 | 19 | | 19 | | | | | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Paul | 20 | 7 | | 19 | | 20 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Grant Williams | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curwin Bosch | 22 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | — | — | | 17 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Kobus van Wyk | 23 | 14 | | 14 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | | | | | | 23 | 23 | 14 | 14 | — | — | | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Keegan Daniel | | 8 | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Louis Schreuder | | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | — | — | | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Tera Mtembu | | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Marius Louw | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | — | — | | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Wian Vosloo | | | 6 | 6 | 20 | | | | | | 20 | | | | 20 | 20 | 20 | — | — | | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiliboy Ralepelle | | | 16 | 16 | | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | 16 | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | — | — | | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ross Geldenhuys | | | 18 | | | | | | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | | | | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gideon Koegelenberg | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mzamo Majola | | | | 17 | | | | 17 | 17 | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jean-Luc du Preez | | | | 20 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | | | | — | — | | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Garth April | | | | | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | | – | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 17 | 50 | 46 | 35 | 0 | 447 |
(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 22. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Kck" to the number of points scored via kicks (conversions, penalties or drop goals) and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.
* Tristan Blewett, Michael Claassens, Johan Deysel, Jean Droste, Khutha Mchunu, Coenie Oosthuizen, Rhyno Smith, Kerron van Vuuren, Jeremy Ward, Courtney Winnaar and Leolin Zas did not make any appearances.