Three Dream Signings Sale Sharks Could Target With Rugby’s Richest Owner Backing Them

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As reported by the   aptly noted, Sale’s transformation is just beginning.

Mail Online's Rugby Confidential, this deal places Orange among the richest rugby club owners in the world – and he’s ready to splash the cash.

The Mail Online revealed that Orange, alongside his wife Michelle, plans to reinvest heavily into the club, with transformative upgrades to both the Salford Community Stadium and the club’s Carrington training base already in the works.

In a statement to the Mail Online's Rugby Confidential, Orange shared his ambitious vision: “Michelle is leading it, working on the stadium and the training ground, trying to move things forward. It’ll take a couple of years to sort agreements and planning, then another couple to build. It’s not a short-term project.”

While the club remains bound by Premiership Rugby’s salary cap, this financial boost ensures their long-term stability and positions them as serious contenders for domestic and European glory.

“Sale’s future was already secure, but this makes it doubly so,” Orange added. “Hopefully, it can help us get to the top of the game and stay there for years to come.”

With Orange’s backing and Michelle’s leadership in improving the infrastructure, Sharks fans could be witnessing the dawn of a new golden era for their club. As the Mail Online

Below, we look at three huge names that would transfer the Sale Sharks squad.

Eben Etzebeth is widely regarded as one of the most fearsome locks in world rugby. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, the towering second-rower has been a cornerstone of the Springboks' pack since making his international debut in 2012.

Standing at 6'8" and weighing over 120kg, Etzebeth combines raw physicality with remarkable athleticism, making him a nightmare for opposition lineouts and a dominant force in open play. He played a pivotal role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, bringing an unmatched level of experience, intensity, and leadership to the team.

Currently starring for the Sharks in Durban, Etzebeth’s potential move to Sale would instantly bolster their forward pack, adding world-class aggression, set-piece dominance, and invaluable big-match experience.

Beyond his physical prowess, Etzebeth’s on-field presence and passion make him a talismanic figure — exactly the kind of player Sale would need to turn ambition into silverware.

Pablo Matera is one of Argentina’s most dynamic and respected rugby players, renowned for his ferocious work rate and powerful ball-carrying ability.

Born in Buenos Aires, Matera has captained the Pumas and been instrumental in some of Argentina’s greatest victories, including their historic first-ever win over the All Blacks in 2020. A natural leader, Matera brings a fiery competitiveness and a tireless motor to every team he joins, whether it be the Jaguares, Stade Français, Crusaders, or Mie Honda Heat in Japan.

Able to play across the back row, Matera is particularly dangerous at blindside flanker, where his defensive toughness and breakdown expertise shine brightest. Off the field, he is a respected voice in the dressing room and has consistently helped raise the standards of the teams he represents.

Signing Matera would inject Sale Sharks with world-class pedigree, relentless intensity, and an invaluable winning mentality — perfect ingredients for a club chasing Premiership and European glory.

Cheslin Kolbe is a name that sparks excitement wherever rugby is played. Born in Cape Town, Kolbe may be small in stature at 5'7", but he is a giant when it comes to skill, pace, and pure game-breaking ability.

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa (2019, 2023), Kolbe has dazzled for clubs like Toulouse, Toulon, and now Tokyo Sungoliath, winning Top 14 and Heineken Champions Cup titles along the way.

His electric footwork, lethal acceleration, and fearless approach have seen him score some of the sport’s most memorable tries, including a decisive score in the 2019 World Cup final. Kolbe is equally comfortable on the wing, at fullback, or even at fly-half, making him an invaluable Swiss Army knife for any coach.

Bringing Kolbe to Sale would inject genuine superstar flair into their backline, providing the kind of game-changing magic needed to win tight matches and light up the Premiership stage.