Lood de Jager

Springbok superstar lock Lood de Jager joined Sharks on a three-year deal after playing a key role for his country’s 2019 Rugby World Cup win. 

He began his career with the Toyota Cheetahs, bursting into the limelight following a stellar inaugural season. 

A 6ft 9in powerhouse, he made 40 Super Rugby appearances for the franchise and was rewarded with the prestigious SA Rugby Player of the Year award. 

Lood switched to Pretoria in 2016, signing for the Vodacom Bulls, where he was Captain for the 2019 season. 

Selected for his national side in May 2014 at the age of 21, he has gone on to make 45 appearances for the Springboks. 

He was signed by Sharks in April 2019, but his debut was delayed by injury when he dislocated his shoulder at the start of the World Cup final. 

Speaking after signing his contract, Lood said it was “a great honour” to be joining a club with “a great tradition and high ambitions.” 

Lood made his first appearance for Sharks in March 2020 as they hit the top of the Premiership after a 39-0 victory over London Irish.  

He made six carries and four tackles after coming on as a replacement with 25 minutes remaining. He made six appearances and five in the 2020/21 campaign, before a freak training ground injury left him needing surgery on a broken leg and damaged knee.