PICS: Sharks honour 'Beast' with Super Rugby away strip

Cape Town - The Sharks have released their new playing strip ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby tournament, which gets underway in February. 

The Durban-based franchise released an image of their new kit via their Twitter page on Thursday. 

While the traditional black and white colours have been retained for the home and away jerseys, respectively, a new addition sees the 'Cell C' logo on the jersey change to bright orange. 

More significantly, the Sharks' away jersey for 2019 will be dedicated to Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, who is expected to play his last Super Rugby season in Durban.

Mtawarira is the most-capped Shark in Super Rugby history and, in 2019, he is set to become the most capped South African Super Rugby player in history, needing just six games to overtake Adriaan Strauss' record of 156 caps.

"Beast’s contribution to The Sharks cannot only be limited to the field of play, but also the role he’s played off it. He has been a role-model and mentor for numerous young props/players who have come through the system and who were able to learn so much from him, both as a player and human being," said Sharks COO, Eduard Coetzee.

"We are delighted that we can honour him in our Super Rugby away jersey design."

Beast added: "I am very humbled and consider it a massive honour to be celebrated by The Sharks with a jersey that honours me.

"It’s been a great privilege to represent this team for many years and I look forward to a big 2019 season to commemorate this special moment."

The third jersey that the Sharks will wear is the Black Panther inspired jersey, which will be launched early 2019. This jersey is part of SA Rugby and Vodacom’s partnership with Marvel that will see all our SA teams in Superhero themed jerseys for all local derby matches played in 2019.

We are proud to announce the release of the official @CellC Sharks 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby home and away jersey designs.

Read more about the inspiration behind these designs here- https://t.co/a4R8UV6fRm @Beast_TM #BeTheMotivation#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/mvT2kmnjox

— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) December 13, 2018

Here’s something to sink your teeth into. Introducing the new Cell C @TheSharksZA jersey for Vodacom #SuperRugby 2019. pic.twitter.com/Hk9P9PCwsO

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) December 13, 2018