With Makazole Mapimpi and Ethan Hooker on Springbok duty, the Sharks are a bit light on wing stocks and have signed a promising prospect from the Western Cape.

After attending NFL trials through the International Player Pathway program that famously lured Christian Wade and Louis Rees-Zammit to the US, Ekeji failed to secure a contract with one of the 32 professional American football clubs. He has returned to South Africa and has been contracted to the Sharks for the duration of the 2025 Currie Cup tournament.

The Nigerian-born 23-year-old speedster, who grew up in Bloemfontein and attended Grey College, played for Maties and Western Province, but his term in Cape Town came to an end in 2023 following a knee injury.

According to Rapport, Ekeji could secure a long-term contract in Durban if he performs well in the Currie Cup which gets under way next month.

The Sharks travel to Johannesburg to take on the Lions in their opening Currie Cup clash on the 26th of July.

Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images