Sharks beat Bulls and Stormers to land highly rated Junior Bok hooker

The 20-year-old was set to be called up to the Springbok squad last November before injury intervened but is expected to be part of the alignment camps in the coming months.

The front-rower is currently in Georgia with the Junior Boks and is yet to make his debut for the Bulls, who were eager to retain his services but have failed to do so. According to the report, the Bulls were prepared to offer him a five-year contract extension but he has instead opted for a move to Durban.

The report adds that the 'difficult path' to the Bulls' number two jersey factored into his decision with Springbok hookers Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Akker van der Merwe and Johan Grobbelaar on the club's books and Marco van Staden also getting more minutes in the role.

The Stormers were also keen on signing the hooker but he is now primed to be Bongi Mbonambi's successor at the Sharks and Springboks.

35-year-old Mbonambi is currently in talks with the Sharks over his future but Mnebelele's signing is another addition to the club's young hooker stocks which includes 22-year-old Bryce Calvert and 21-year-old Ethan Bester, who was also invited to a Bok alignment camp last year.

Pumas' loanee Eduan Swart (25) has also impressed during his stint in Durban, while Fez Mbatha (26) has been a staple in the Sharks' matchday 23s for some time now.

Still, the Sharks have been in the market for another hooker since Dylan Richardson's departure to Edinburgh at the end of last season and looked to have finally added to their stocks with the swoop for Mnebelele after missing out on Marnus van der Merwe.

In another boost for the Sharks, tighthead prop Vincent Koch has signed a one-year contract extension to remain in Durban with the option of a second season. The double World Cup winner reportedly attracted interest from PREM Rugby clubs but has opted to remain in Durban instead, with the player and club having the option to end the agreement after the first 12 months.