Big Boost for Sharkies

Ex Keo

Lock Steven Sykes has returned to the Shark Tank and will represent the Durban-based side in the coming Super Rugby season.

Sykes left Durban last year to further his career with Irish club Leinster. Less than a year later, he has been released from his contract and will return to Sharks training this week.

Sykes’ return is a timely one given the Sharks’ lack of depth in the lock position. While they have Ross Skeate and Alistair Hargreaves in tow, they went into 2012 devoid of experienced options at No 4.

Along with Sykes, Gerhard Mostert moved to Europe at the conclusion of the 2011 Super Rugby season and it was thought that one of the big flankers, read Jean Deysel or Willem Alberts, would be asked to fill the void in 2012.

The Sharks have other No 4 options in Anton Bresler and Jandre Marais, but having an established lock like Sykes back in the mix will certainly boost their chances in the coming competition.

This is a very nice boost for the sharkies indeed Sykes is a very useful lock. Only remaining issues for them may be center and prop?
 

They have no centres to speak of ,Joubert's time is over and Meyer Bosman is dysfunctional.

the Sharks have plenty of centres, have you looked into this more? you should as it looks like you are out of step, they have Bosman, Joubert, Whitehead, Jordaan, Majeveku. Sithole is also a player who can cover 13.

more than some would think.

Good call, I missed the other four but I still don't rate the two I mentioned.

Every SA franchise has a number of centers but how goodare they is the question jinx.

Bosman was fine for the Cheetahs but has struggled with the sharkies. How good is the sharkies backline coach. Its also early days for whitehead but I can't see him being a dominating players in the super 15 for 2012 and maybve never will. The others tyou mention I am not too familiar with.

Sykes has always been unlucky.

He is a good lock who excels in the tight loose and lineouts.

His bulk is also a major asset at scrum time.

At 27, he could still be a Bok.

Chippo the time has come for Sykes to stake his Bok claim given the retirement of Bakkies a matfield. Its now or never really . Sykes needs to be aggressive and go for it - he is the best sharkie lock in my view.

From what I saw last year the two Bok locks should be Bekker and Mostert but its all up for grabs. Wonder how Etzebeth will fare - very young of course but seems to have the credentials to become a Bok - we shall see. The guys have  a lot to play for this year with all the retirements, a new coach to impress and some ageing Boks.

Looks like you are not quite up to speed with player movements. Mosterd is playing Top 14 for Stade de Francaise

Cera I am well aware of that but it all depends now on whether they will pick overseas based  players. We shall see

Beeno1 , To say you are not familiar with some of the players mentioned makes me wonder how you can carry such a strong opinion without the knowledge.

Hi Jinxed, okay who are your front line centers. Tell me that.

If you say Bosman and Joubert which seems to be what is being touted you have answered your own question. Marius is over the hill surely. Bosman has not set the world alight either.

testing

 Man some journo's have no idea do they? Why come up with complete crap about the likes of Deysel and Alberts having to fill in at lock when they have Sykes, Skeate, Hargreaves, JA Marais and Bresler........5 quality locks not good enough for the Sharks or what?