The Sharks Rugby viral video has officially taken over social media, proving that the Durban-based team is winning just as hard on TikTok as they are on the field. In a hilarious twist on a popular trend, the team’s social media admins decided to ruthlessly roast their youngest players, turning a generic "get to know you" interview into a viral sensation that has left fans in stitches. By flipping the script on the generational age gap, the Sharks have crowned themselves the undisputed kings of funny sports social media content this week.
Flipping the Script on the "Ancient" 1990s Trend
If you've been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels lately, you’ve likely seen the viral "What year were you born?" trend. Usually, the punchline is at the expense of Millennials or older Gen Zers born in the 1990s. Typically, when a person answers with a year like 1995 or 1998, the video cuts to a black-and-white filter accompanied by somber, "ancient" classical music—implying that anyone born before the year 2000 is basically a walking fossil.
It’s a trend that has roasted thousands of people for being "old," but the Sharks Rugby media team saw an opportunity to strike back. Instead of accepting their fate as the "geriatric" generation, they turned the cannon toward the team's fresh-faced recruits, creating the ultimate 2000s vs 90s age gap parody.
Baby Shark and Cocomelon: The Ultimate Gen Z Roast
In the now-viral clip, players are casually asked the simple question: "What year were you born?" As the camera pans to the younger squad members, they confidently answer with years that sound impossibly recent to older fans—2001, 2002, 2004.
But instead of the usual respectful nod, the video abruptly cuts to a chaotic, high-energy edit featuring the Baby Shark rugby edit remix and bright, flashing clips from Cocomelon. The juxtaposition is brutal and brilliant. One moment, you see a hulking professional athlete; the next, he's being treated like a toddler who just graduated from a high chair. The use of the Cocomelon TikTok trend aesthetic to mock adults born in the 2000s perfectly captures the disbelief older generations feel when they realize professional rugby players can now be younger than the first Shrek movie.
Fans React: "Finally, Justice for the 90s Babies!"
The comment section exploded almost immediately, with fans praising the admin for the savage creativity. For years, the Gen Z vs Millennial humor wars have been dominated by younger users mocking their elders' side parts and skinny jeans. This video felt like a rare victory for the older crowd.
Social media users flooded the comments with laughing emojis, with many pointing out the irony of watching tough-as-nails rugby stars being edited alongside dancing cartoon sharks. The video didn't just go viral; it resonated because it flipped a tired format on its head. It wasn't just a Sharks Rugby Cocomelon joke; it was a cultural clapback that united every fan who remembers life before smartphones.
Winning on the Field and the Feed
The timing of this viral masterpiece couldn't be better. The Sharks are currently riding a high wave of momentum, fresh off a massive 30–19 bonus-point victory over the Stormers in Cape Town. To beat a rival on their home turf and then immediately drop a viral banger suggests a team culture that is confident, relaxed, and having fun.
While the young stars of the team might be getting roasted online for their "baby" status, they are clearly delivering grown-man performances on the pitch. It’s a perfect balance of banter and professionalism that endears fans to the squad. After all, if you can take a tackle from a 120kg lock, you can definitely handle a little Baby Shark trolling from your social media manager.
Why Sports Teams Are embracing "Unserious" Content
This success highlights a shift in how professional sports teams handle their digital presence. Gone are the days of stiff, corporate press releases. Today, the best engagement comes from admins who speak the language of the internet. By tapping into niche memes like the Sharks Rugby viral video, teams humanize their players and build a connection with a younger (and older) audience that goes beyond the 80 minutes of game time.
Whether you were born in 1990 or 2005, one thing is clear: The Sharks are currently undefeated in the meme game.
