James O'Connor has confirmed he will not be joining the Sharks, with an imminent family addition ending any prospect of a move to Durban. The 36-year-old utility back, who spent the 2024-25 season with the Crusaders before a stint at Leicester Tigers, says his wife Bridget is expecting a baby boy and that returning to Australia has become the priority.
"I did look at it, but that was before the pregnancy," O'Connor said on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast. "It would've been unreal. My grandad's from Durban so that would have been a cool experience — but as soon as the news came through it was like, I don't particularly want to be in South Africa, I want to be around my family in Australia."
Rapport had reported that Sharks coach JP Pietersen made contact with O'Connor, and the player acknowledged the move was a genuine possibility before his personal circumstances changed. "I won't be going back North," he added. "I feel like it's time to plant some roots here."
O'Connor has not closed the door entirely on playing, leaving Japan as a possible option, while also flagging ambitions to move into coaching. He has since been back in Brisbane, where he crossed paths with both Joe Schmidt and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss for separate conversations — though Schmidt had been unaware O'Connor was back in the country at the time of the Nations Championship match against France.