All Blacks legend Maa Nonu will continue his professional rugby career in Durban after signing a short-term contract with the Sharks, the Durban club has confirmed.
A bombshell dropped when the two-time World Cup winner became the oldest player ever to feature in the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup during a successful second spell at RC Toulon.
The Sharks will be the eighth professional team Nonu has represented after stints with Wellington, Hurricanes, Tokyo Black Rams, Blues, Highlanders, RC Toulon and San Diego Legion.
Sources told Planet Rugby Nonu was unsure of what the future held before his Toulon contract expired and spent a couple of weeks ago in New Zealand mulling the Sharks’ approach before making a decision.
Why did the Sharks sign Maa Nonu?
While the Sharks have developed a reputation in recent seasons for signing big-name players and the Springboks for big salaries, Planet Rugby understands the former All Blacks midfielder has agreed to join the Durbanites for a modest salary, with the 44-year-old ready to contribute to the team as a mentor and leader in what could be his final professional contract.
Having reached an agreement with the team this week, Non will be tasked with mentoring the Sharks’ young centers and players, particularly Jurenzo Julius and Springboks star Ethan Hooker. This is a particularly tempting prospect for Julius, who has reportedly been courted by the Bulls and other South African clubs. The 22-year-old has struggled to earn a place in the Sharks starting line-up due to strong competition in the position, but has featured more regularly since Jay Pietersen took over as head coach, with the former Springboks winger bringing a prodigious talent to the No. 12 jersey.
Julius played primarily as a 13-year-old and on the wing under former head coach John Plumtree, but impressed at the inside center position under Pietersen, and Nonoo’s arrival could hasten that development as he was considered the best in the business during his heyday. The All Blacks legend famously reinvented himself as a triple-threat center (run, kick, pass) after being nicknamed “crashball number 12” in his youth, and his short stay at the club and mentorship could be crucial in the development of Julius and even Hooker.
It is also believed that Nonu can play a major role in improving the overall atmosphere and culture at the Sharks after the team undertook a comprehensive and objective review and restructuring of its high performance system earlier this year.
This led to Pietersen’s permanent appointment as head coach, with Plumtree officially parting ways with the team, while Scott Mathie was hired to run the team’s attack, Neil Powell moved into the role of head of youth rugby, and Dave Williams took on the newly created role of general manager.
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Reasons why rugby comes first
The arrival of the All Blacks legend will certainly boost the Sharks’ competitiveness and is sure to boost ticket sales, especially following the departure of Siya Kolisi. However, sources told Planet Rugby that the move was a rugby-first decision aimed at promoting the development of the franchise’s young defenders and building on his understanding of creating a positive culture and setting professional standards.
“The opportunity for someone of Maa’s caliber to spend time in our environment does not come along often. While his accomplishments on the field are exceptional, it is his professionalism, leadership and understanding of what it takes to consistently perform at the highest level that makes this such an exciting opportunity for our club,” Sharks CEO Sean Bryans said in a statement confirming Nonu’s signing.
“As we continue to build for the future, exposure to our environment for world-class performers who have achieved sustained success is invaluable. His presence over the next few months will add value to our playing group through the mentorship, standards and rugby knowledge he will share with our team every day.”
Head coach JP Pietersen added: “The best players don’t just leave memories, they leave standards. That’s what Maa brings. Every conversation, every training session and every interaction is an opportunity for our players to learn what excellence is.”
While head coach Pietersen has been keen to add a midfielder with international experience to his ranks ahead of the 2026/27 season, the market for an experienced number 10 has dried up. It has been reported that former Wallabies playmaker Bernard Foley will continue his career beyond his 36th birthday and return to the NSW Waratahs after a successful stint with Kubota Spears.
Fellow Australian James O’Connor is reportedly keen to return Down Under next year to be part of the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad and is in talks with several Super Rugby Pacific teams. The 36-year-old was linked with a move to the Sharks, but nothing ultimately materialized.
Reports in South Africa have also linked the Durbanites with a move for Italy international Tommaso Allan, whose uncle John Allan made more than 100 appearances for Natal between 1988 and 1997, but the Azzurri star will head to Zebra instead. Irishman Ross Byrne has also been linked with the team but is believed to head to Perpignan where he will fill the Allan void.
However, the Sharks will have no shortage of options for half the season, with Jordan Hendrickse, Siya Masuku and Vusi Moyo on the club’s payroll, with the latter re-signing until 2029 in January this year. The Durbanites fought off interest from several South African clubs to retain his services, with the 20-year-old making his URC final round debut.
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He has since made his Test debut for the Springboks, starting with the recent 43-0 win over Wales in the Nations Championship match at Kings Park. Rassie Erasmus also included him in the Springboks squad for the Test match against Argentina and the series of rugby’s greatest rivalry against the All Blacks. It is believed that Nonu’s presence in the back line can help develop and improve the midfielders. Moyo’s emergence on the international stage has further strengthened the Sharks’ playmaking position, making the need for another new player obsolete.
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Pedigree of Nonu and reception of Sharks
Despite the fact that Non is now well over 40, he continues to perform at a stunning level. During his second and final stint with Toulon, he played in both the center and back line for the club and helped them turn around the club’s fortunes into the top 14.
After a poor start to the season, Toulon showed fine form in the latter stages of the campaign, finishing ninth overall and reaching the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup, where they lost 29–25 to Leinster.
Nonu comes to Durban with an incredible CV that includes 103 appearances for the All Blacks, two Rugby World Cup titles, 174 Super Rugby appearances and over 400 first-class caps.
The signing of the center from the Sharks adds to the Durbanites’ already strong recruitment drive ahead of next season following the return of Springboks mainstay Thomas du Toit. Nemo Roelofse will further strengthen the front row line-up, as will the arrival of Junior Boks captain and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele. Lock Stephen Lewis also returns from a successful stint at Harlequins, where he captained the team to PREM rugby glory in 2021, while Darrien Lansberg also joins from the Lions.
Hendre Stassen joins from Brive and scrum-half Ivan van Zyl joins from Saracens. Gianni Lombard, Murray Coster and Donnon Don will strengthen the players’ reserves along with American Dominic Besag.
READ MORE: Rugby transfers: Sharks fend off overseas interest in Springboks hopefuls, Blues sign ex-Junior All Black and PREM duo bolster ranks