Matt Romao

Matt Romao
Born (2005-07-28) 28 July 2005
South Africa
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb)
SchoolDrostdy Technical High School
Rugby union career
Position Flanker
Current team Sharks / Sharks (Currie Cup)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– Sharks (Currie Cup)
2025– Sharks 5 (0)
Correct as of 11 January 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2025 South Africa U20 7 (0)
Correct as of 11 January 2026

Matt Romao (born 28 July 2005) is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the Sharks and Sharks (Currie Cup). His preferred position is flanker.[1]

Early career

Romao is from South Africa and attended Drostdy Technical High School in Worcester.[2] His performances earned him selection for the Boland side at Craven Week in 2023, earning selection for South Africa Schools in the process.[3] He joined up with the Sharks academy in 2024, helping their U21 side win the U21 cup in 2025.[4] In 2024, he earned selection for the South Africa U19 side,[5] and then selection for the South Africa U20 side in 2025.[6]

Professional career

Romao joined up with the Sharks ahead of the 2024 Currie Cup Premier Division, making his Currie Cup debut that year.[7] He would also feature for the Sharks in the 2025 edition.[8] He would debut for the full Sharks side in the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship, featuring in the match against Connacht.[9] Romao was named as Man of the Match on 17 January 2026, as the Sharks beat ASM Clermont Auvergne in the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Matt Romao". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Kwaggas look to close out centenary year with revenge against Donkies". SuperSport Schools Plus. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  3. ^ "SA Schools sides named after successful Craven Week". SA Rugby. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Sharks U21s and Bulls U19s crowned Cup champions". SA Rugby. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Three Cheetahs U-19 players selected for SA Rugby under-19 academy intake". Cheetahs. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Five capped Junior Boks named for Rugby Champs". SA Rugby. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Team Release - Hollywoodbets Sharks XV vs. Airlink Pumas". Sharks. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Sharks load team with Junior Springboks to try and kickstart Currie Cup campaign against Bulls". IOL. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Connacht register bonus-point win over Sharks". BBC Sport. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  10. ^ Wright, Jared (17 January 2026). "Sharks v Clermont: Five takeaways as 'next-gen' Springboks stamp their mark while 'diabolical' comments underplay seriously dangerous action". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 25 January 2026.