Mawande Mdanda

South African flanker Mawande Mdanda is a tenacious openside whose game revolves around the breakdown. Born in 2003, he has come through the Sharks' system and brings a disruptive, high-energy presence to the loose forwards. Mdanda's value lies in his appetite for the contest over the ball — contesting turnovers, slowing opposition possession and providing relentless support around the fringes — allied to a willing defensive work rate. He has gained experience in South Africa's senior competitions, featuring for the Sharks across the United Rugby Championship and the domestic Currie Cup, valuable proving grounds for a forward still early in his career. Quick to the breakdown and industrious in the loose, he fits the mould of the modern fetching flanker, prioritising the unglamorous work that disrupts opposition flow. As one of the younger forwards in the Sharks' set-up, Mdanda is regarded as a developing talent looking to convert his breakdown craft and engine into a more regular role at senior level.