The 3rd and Article in the set discussing the Sharks Super Rugby players for 2012.

In this Article we look at the contenders for LOCKS in the Sharks 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.

The Contenders:

Name: Anton Bresler

Date of Birth: 16/02/1988
Place of Birth: Windhoek, Nambia
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 112kg
High School: DHS
Club: Jonsson College Rovers

A product of local school DHS but born in Namibia, the 23 year old has established himself more and more as a dependable, hard-working and tough-as-nails lock. He worked his way through the age group ranks, and after making a handful of Absa Currie Cup appearances for The Sharks in their successful 2010 season, he followed this up with a further 13 caps in the 2011 campaign.

Anton has been growing in stature, gradually, and 2012 could be a big year for him.

Name: Steven Sykes

Date of Birth: 05/08/1984
Place of Birth:Middelburgh
Position:Lock /flank
Height:1.98m
Weight:118 kg
School: Marlow Agricultural High School
Club: Acer Durban Collegians

Steven Sykes left The Sharks at the end of the 2011 Super Rugby tournament to pursue his career in Ireland. There he joined Leinster on a 3-year deal, but returned to the Sharks in January 2012 ahead of the new season to add his substantial offerings in the second row.

Sykes began his career with the Natal Sharks in 2005 and later the Sharks Super rugby team in 2007, with whom he played in the Super 14.

He has been a part of the Emerging Springboks team and played for them during their 13-13 draw against the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.

A player who enjoys the tight phases.

Sykes made his Provincial debut for the Sharks against the Elephants in 2005 and his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls in 2007.

Steven also played very briefly for the Springboks in 2011.

Name: Ross Carson (Ross) Skeate

Date of Birth: 02/04/1982
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
Position: Lock
Height: 2.01 m
Weight: 114 kg
High School: SACS High School
Club: Bluff Superspar Harlequins

Ross came up through the Western Province ranks, played for South African Schools in 2000, WP Under 19 and South Africa Under 19 in 2001, South Africa Under 21 in 2002 & 2003, WP Under 21 in 2002, WP Merit A in 2003.

He made his Provincial senior debut in 2003 for WP against the SWD Eagles.

He made his Stormers debut in Super Rugby in 2005 against the Blues.

He made his Sharks debut against the Blue Bulls in 2010 and his Toulon debut in 2008 against Montauban.

The former Stormers player, but signed from France, was in the form of his career during the latter stages of the Currie Cup season last year and will look to continue his domineering form in 2012. An intelligent lineout player who is able to combine the robustness of open play ball-carrying, support play or defence, his commitment is outstanding and he is becoming a very valuable member of the Sharks squad.

My nickname for the man is “Rocket Seat”.

Name: Alistair Hargreaves

Date of Birth: 29/04/1986
Place of Birth: Durban
Position: Lock
Height: 2.01 m
Weight: 114 kg
High School: DHS
Club: Varsity College Old Boys

Alistair attended Durban High School where he was captain of rugby and headboy in 2004 and represented the school’s first tem for 3 years from 2002 to 2004.

He captained SA Schools in 2004, then represented SA Under 19 at the Under 19 World Cup in 2004. He went on to captain the winning SA Under 19 side in 2005. In 2006 he represented South Africa Under 21.

He made his Provincial debut against the Griquas in 2006 and his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers in 2009.

Some say he’s developed into a quality lock and with extended game in the 2010 season, and it is speculated that he has established himself as a valuable member of the Sharks team. Tall and athletic, Hargreaves should be the consummate lineout lock, who adds value in both the tight and loose exchanges.

I personally think Alister is too soft and quite frankly do not know what people see in the guy.

Name: Jan Andre (Jandre) Marais

Date of Birth: 14/06/1989
Place of Birth: Welkom
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98 m
Weight: 118 kg
High School: Welkom Gymnasium
Club: Acer Durban Collegians

He joined the Sharks Academy in 2008 after attending Welkom Gymnasium, where he represented the Griffons at the Craven week in 2007.

At the Sharks he was part of the Under 19 side  who won the Currie Cup Under 19 competition in 2008. In 2009 he represented South Africa Under 20 on a tour to Argentina and Japan.

He also represented the Sharks at Under 21 level for 3 years.

He made his Currie Cup debut against the Blue Bulls in July 2011.

Having been around the system for a while, Jandre (also known as Jan Andre) made his debut for The Sharks last year (his brother Peet made his debut when he replaced Jandre four games into the Currie Cup) and went on to feature in 10 games over the course of the campaign as a handy and hard-working second-rower, built for toughness and playing a vital support role necessary of a tight-forward.

Name: Peet Marais

Date of Birth: 31/10/1990
Place of Birth: Welkom
Position: Lock
Height: 1.99m
Weight: 114kg
High School: Welkom Gymnasium
Club: Acer Durban Collegians

Brother of Jandre, he adds depth to the second row, having been an important figure in the junior ranks to date.

Starters:

The Sharks should start with Steven Sykes and Anton Bresler, but both Rocket Seat and Alistair Hargreaves should get a good look in at lock this season too.

This was the THIRD article in the range dealing with the Sharks, the LOOSEFORWARDS will be up next.