Sharks deny rift report

The Sharks have accused Beeld newspaper of false reporting.

This after the publication ran a story suggesting that Keegan Daniel was unhappy with the number of Afrikaners in the Sharks squad.

The report also claimed that Daniel felt isolated and was struggling to unify the Sharks under his leadership.

Daniel and Sharks CEO, Brian van Zyl, have both denied the existence of a rift within the squad.

Van Zyl went on to say that the Sharks value cultural diversity within their camp.

"The Sharks team's strength has always been its diversity. The same squad pulled together less than 12 months ago to get into the Vodacom Super Rugby Final. They play for each other and their jersey. The cultural and language demographics within the team are a strength from which the team has drawn. I have been in touch with John Plumtree and team management and have been informed that at a team meeting, which took place this afternoon, all players stood firmly behind Keegan Daniel as captain," Van Zyl added.

The Sharks will face the Force in Vodacom Super Rugby action in Perth on Friday.

Kickoff is at 13h45 in the afternoon - South African time.

James Leckie will be the referee.

(File Photo:Steve Haag:Gallo Images)

- Andre Bloem

I am on Twitter @SportswaveAndre