Simphiwe Matanzima

Simphiwe Matanzima, born on 18 August 1997, is a South African forward currently with the Sharks. Coming through the South African club and Currie Cup system, Matanzima has earned opportunities in the senior Sharks setup and competes for game time across the team's forward rotation in the United Rugby Championship and other domestic and international fixtures. His strengths sit in his physical work in tight: hitting rucks, getting through long set-piece sessions and contributing the unspectacular carries that keep his side moving forward. In defence he is direct and committed, looking to make the dominant first hit and offering a presence around the fringes of the breakdown. A forward of his profile gives the Sharks valuable depth in a position where the South African game places enormous physical demands across long seasons. Matanzima has continued to add detail to his game while taking on the heavy workload that comes with the modern professional schedule, and he sits among the squad members the coaching staff lean on for consistency rather than flash.