The report was conducted by the Durban franchise’s auditing company, KPMG, and has been labelled as “potentially explosive”.

The allegations are believed to revolve around unauthorised benefits being handed to at least one senior staff member, but could spill over into other areas of the company.

Former Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl, who left his post last year, called for the report to be made public as soon as possible.

Van Zyl said the uncertainty is not good for the players, the administration, and staff who were present at the time the new management took over at the Sharks.

Van Zyl said it’s unfair and feels as though they are being “held to ransom”. He said he believes he has been defamed and won’t take any allegations against him “lying down”.