---
title: "All Blacks Face Sharks in Durban with Experienced Ma'a Nonu on Bench"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/all-blacks-face-sharks-in-durban-with-nonu-debut-ikzkf
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
published: 2026-08-11T17:46:04.831Z
modified: 2026-08-11T21:45:12.317Z
language: en-IN
---

# All Blacks Face Sharks in Durban with Experienced Ma'a Nonu on Bench

The All Blacks are set to play the Sharks in Durban as part of their South African tour. The match features the potential debut of 44-year-old Ma'a Nonu for the Sharks, who previously represented the All Blacks.

## Key takeaways

- The All Blacks are playing the Sharks in Durban as part of their South African tour.
- Veteran player Ma'a Nonu, 44, could make his debut for the Sharks against the All Blacks.
- Luke Jacobson will captain the All Blacks, who have a strong historical record against the Sharks' predecessor, Natal.
- The referee for the match is Matthew Carley, who has a history of All Blacks losses when officiating their matches against the Springboks.

## What Happened

The All Blacks are scheduled to play the Sharks in Durban. This fixture marks the second match of the All Blacks' tour of South Africa, following a victory against the Stormers. A notable aspect of the Sharks' lineup is the potential inclusion of 44-year-old Ma’a Nonu, who last played for the All Blacks 11 years prior and was part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning squad. If Nonu enters the game, he would become the oldest player to compete against the All Blacks.

The All Blacks will be captained by Luke Jacobson for this match, leading a stronger team than the one that faced the Stormers. While the All Blacks have not played the current iteration of the Sharks, they have a historical record against the team's predecessor, Natal, with no losses in six previous encounters, including one draw in 1960.

## Key Facts

- The match is a tour clash between the All Blacks and the Sharks in Durban.

- The All Blacks previously won against the Stormers on this tour.

- Ma’a Nonu, aged 44, has joined the Sharks and may become the oldest player to face the All Blacks if he plays.

- Nonu last represented the All Blacks 11 years ago and was part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning team.

- Luke Jacobson captains the All Blacks against the Sharks.

- The All Blacks have a historical record of five wins and one draw against Natal, the predecessor to the Sharks.

- Historical meetings between the All Blacks and Natal include matches in 1992, 1976, 1970, 1960, 1949, and 1928.

- Englishman Matthew Carley is the referee for the match.

- The All Blacks have lost all three previous matches refereed by Matthew Carley against the Springboks.

## Background

The All Blacks' tour of South Africa is their first in 30 years. The team has secured a victory in their opening match against the Stormers. The upcoming game against the Sharks adds a historical dimension with the potential appearance of Ma'a Nonu, a veteran player returning to face his former national team.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/all-blacks-face-sharks-in-durban-with-nonu-debut-ikzkf
Reported from: Multiple Sources