The Hurricanes have announced the surprise signing of Sharks wing Kobus van Wyk for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

Van Wyk was the shock name included in the Hurricanes’ official squad for next season, announced along with the other New Zealand franchises on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, who can play both wing and in midfield, joins as a replacement for Matt Proctor, who has left the Hurricanes for the Northampton Saints in England.

Hurricanes coach John Plumtree was with the Sharks between 2007 and 2012. Chief executive Avan Lee made no secret that the move was made possible due to Plumtree’s South African connections.

‘John has obviously spent a lot of time in South Africa, so he knows a lot of people over there,’ Lee said. ‘Kobus’ name came up and then John and [assistant coach] Jason Holland had a look at him play and he was really keen to come out.’

Van Wyk joined the Sharks from the Stormers in 2017. After a bright start to life in Durban, he lost his place in the starting lineup to Springbok wings Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi. With youngster Aphelele Fassi coming through the youth structure and Madosh Tambwe moving from the Lions, there appeared to be little space for Van Wyk in the Sharks squad for next season.

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/www.photosport.nz