Meet the Sharks WAGs: The Women Backing Durban’s Rugby Stars Against Leinster

The Sharks will welcome defending United Rugby Championship champions Leinster to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday evening as the Durban side begins another demanding chapter of its URC campaign.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 SAST, with the Sharks looking to make the most of home advantage against a Leinster side that suffered a narrow defeat to the Lions in the opening round.

Springbok Experience Returns to the Sharks

Sharks coach JP Pietersen has strengthened his matchday squad with the return of six Springboks following their international commitments.

André Esterhuizen will captain the team after returning from national duty, while Thomas du Toit gets the start at loosehead prop. Other Springbok stars, including Ox Nché and Eben Etzebeth, are named among the replacements.

The combination of returning internationals and home support is expected to give the Sharks added confidence as they face one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Leinster Arrive With Plenty to Prove

Leinster will travel to Durban looking to respond after their disappointing opening-round result against the Lions.

Hooker Rónan Kelleher leads the Irish side, while young flyhalf Vusi Moyo faces a significant challenge against the experienced Sharks defence.

Jason Jenkins also brings a personal connection to the contest, having previously played for Leinster before continuing his career in South Africa.

The Women Behind the Sharks Stars

While attention will be focused on the action at Kings Park, several of the Sharks’ biggest names will have familiar faces supporting them from the sidelines.

From wives and longtime partners to young families, the personal lives of the players have remained an important part of their journeys away from rugby.

Anlia Etzebeth Supports Eben

Singer and actress Anlia Etzebeth is the wife of Springbok and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth.

The couple married after Etzebeth returned to South Africa following his spell playing in France and have since built a family together.

They are parents to two daughters, with Anlia regularly sharing glimpses of their family life and supporting her husband through the demands of professional rugby.

Mabea Esterhuizen Backs the Sharks Captain

Mabea Esterhuizen is married to André Esterhuizen, who leads the Sharks into the clash with Leinster.

The centre has also earned major recognition on the international stage, having recently been named Springbok captain for the Test against Australia in Perth.

Away from rugby, André and Mabea are raising three children. The family has also reportedly been considering a move towards the coastal communities north of Durban, including the Umhlanga and Sibaya areas.

Jandré Koch and a Rugby-Mad Family

Vincent Koch and his wife, Jandré Koch, have been together for around 15 years and married for approximately eight.

The couple have two children, Luca and Jané, and rugby has already begun to make its way into the next generation of the family.

Their son Luca has started playing rugby, giving the family another connection to the sport that has played such a major role in Vincent’s career.

Nadine Van der Merwe’s Journey With Edwill

Edwill van der Merwe and Nadine van der Merwe have shared their relationship for more than a decade.

The couple began dating in 2014 before becoming engaged in September 2021. They eventually married on 16 December 2023 during an intimate ceremony in Cape Town.

They now have one child together, with Nadine continuing to support Edwill through his professional rugby career.

Lou-Marie Jenkins and Jason Jenkins

Jason Jenkins and Lou-Marie Jenkins also have a relatively recent marriage story.

The couple became engaged in November 2023 before exchanging vows in July 2024 at Zorgvliet Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands.

Lou-Marie, who has a background in modelling, adopted the surname Jenkins after their wedding.

Jason will have an additional reason to relish Saturday’s contest as he faces his former club, Leinster, in front of a home crowd.

Sharks Look to Make Home Advantage Count

With Springbok reinforcements returning and several experienced players in the squad, the Sharks will hope to turn Kings Park into a difficult venue for the defending champions.

Leinster, meanwhile, will be determined to recover from their opening-round setback.

Beyond the tactical battle on the field, the Sharks stars will have plenty of support from their families as Durban prepares for another major night of URC rugby.