Sharks veteran Lionel Cronje shifts to coaching role

Cronje joined the Durban side in 2022 but has featured just seven times for them in the last two seasons. However, a player of such vast experience is too valuable to leave by the wayside.

Over the last 16 years, the vintage flyhalf has represented every major South African franchise, as well as five seasons in Japan and even a season with the Brumbies Down Under.

While the well-travelled 35-year-old has not officially hung up his playing boots, he is shifting roles at the Sharks as they look to take advantage of his rugby capital. This season, Cronje has taken up a new role as the backs and attacking coach for the U19 and U21 teams.

"It's a good opportunity to give back to the youngsters and to the game that's given me so much," the Bloemfontein native told the Sharks' website.

"Something that's come naturally to me is connecting with the players. Coming from a playing background, that's really allowed me to be able to impart that knowledge to them.

"You really forget, as you get older as a player, the excitement, the energy, the passion that these young guys bring - knowing that they've got their whole future ahead of them, their careers ahead of them, and just to be able to have a small part in and having the responsibility to guide them through that process and trying to make sure that their dreams come alive is really exciting."

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