Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle will captain the side during the 2018 Currie Cup season.

The 31-year-old will form a core leadership group with loose forward Daniel du Preez‚ lock Hyron Andrews‚ prop John-Hubert Meyer‚ centre Marius Louw‚ flyhalf Robert du Preez Jr and flank Tera Mtembu.

The Sharks also confirmed that former Harlequins player and coach Nick Easter will join the set-up as a breakdown specialist. Easter will also assist Braam van Straaten with defence and Jaco Pienaar with the lineouts during the tournament.

The rest of the coaching set-up remains the same as in Super Rugby with Robert du Preez heading up the campaign. Dick Muir (backline consultant)‚ Pienaar (forwards coach)‚ Van Straaten (defence) and AB Zondagh (skills) are his assistants.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images