Hooker eager to lift Sharks with Bok-winning culture

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Ethan Hooker is determined to help the Sharks kick-start their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign by securing their first win of the 2025 season.

The Durban-based side has endured a tough start, sitting 13th on the URC log after losses to Leinster and Glasgow Warriors, and a draw against the Dragons in Newport.

It’s been a challenging opening stretch for the Sharks, who have been without several of their key Springboks. Last weekend, the likes of Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, and Bongi Mbonambi returned to action against Leinster following the national side’s successful Rugby Championship campaign.

However, despite the boost in personnel, the Sharks fell short as Leinster proved far more clinical on the night.

This weekend, the focus shifts to Kings Park, where the Sharks host Ulster in front of their home crowd – a challenge Hooker is relishing.

“It’s very exciting,” Hooker said, adding: “Obviously, I want to come back to my home team, do my home team proud.

“I just feel the vibe is really good being back and you almost get that home sense of feeling and it’s really good. I’m really keen to go out this Saturday and perform.”

Having been part of the Springboks’ Rugby Championship-winning squad, the 22-year-old revealed he’s eager to inject the world champions’ mindset into the Sharks environment.

“[The Springboks] are so clinical, especially when it comes to winning games, and I’d like to try to transfer that into our Sharks team and just create a culture around that.”

Looking ahead to Ulster, Hooker expects a fierce physical battle. The Irish side travels to Durban brimming with confidence after an impressive win over the Bulls last weekend.

“We just have to match that and overpower them.

“Use our big forwards – our big, experienced forwards – to get over that gain line, and then just follow up with the backs and hopefully get those points.”

The Sharks are set to be bolstered by the possible return of several Springbok stars, including Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Ox Nché, and André Esterhuizen. A decision on Eben Etzebeth’s availability will be made later this week, following the birth of his second child.