Steven Sykes made his Currie Cup debut for the Natal Sharks in 2005 and by 2007, he had broken into their Super 14 squad. The departure of AJ Venter, Johan Ackerman and Albert vd Berg created an opportunity for Sykes to play regularly and the following 2 years, he developed his game and formed a strong second row partnership with Johann Muller. In 2009, his consistency for the Sharks was rewarded with a call up to the Springbok team to play against the British Lions in 3rd test match in Johannesburg.
In 2010, Sykes continued to prove his worth to the Sharks, playing a key role in their successful Currie Cup campaign.
In 2011, Sykes became frustrated at not being recognized at Springbok level and decided to accept an offer and sign a 3 year contract with the current Heineken Cup Champions, Leinster. On the announcement of his signing, Sykes expressed an interest in qualifying to represent Ireland at international level. There was some immediate reaction by press in South Africa that perhaps he might not qualify to represent Ireland on the basis that he had already been selected to play for the Springboks. Finally a decision was made that he is still eligible to represent another country.
Date of Birth: 05/08/84
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 117kgs
Currently contracted to: Natal Sharks
International Honours: Springbok squad - third test v British
and
Irish Lions 2009.
Juandre Kruger was schooled at Paul Roos in the Cape and began his provincial career representing Western Province u21. In 2008, he decided to move to Pretoria and join Blue Bulls on a 1 year contract. His year in Pretoria started slowly in Vodacom Cup but he made such an impression in Currie Cup that his name was whispered by some as a surprise selection for the end of year Springbok tour of Europe.
During the latter stages of Vodacom Cup, Kruger had signed a 2 year contract to play for Northampton Saints in England and joined them straight after Currie Cup. He joined a Northampton Saints team full of exciting young players. The expansive brand of Saints rugby suited Kruger perfectly and his first season in England was a big success in which he was selected by many pundits in Premiership Team of the Year and Northampton Saints tasted European success by winning the Amlin Cup Challenge.
In 2009/2010 season, Kruger once again proved to be a consistent performer in Premiership and impressed in some Heineken Cup games. Many people tipped him to represent England once he qualified but his burning desire to represent Springboks lured him back to Bulls camp in South Africa. The big challenge for Kruger will no doubt be in 2012 when he starts to get regular game time with the Bulls in Super 15 after the retirement of Springbok legend, Victor Matfield.
Date of Birth: 06/09/85
Position: Lock
Height: 1.97m
Weight: 110kg
Currently contracted to: Blue Bulls
News: Saints stay a big boost for Kruger; Kruger tackles Old Khaki
Western Province and Stormers lock forward Rynhardt Elstadt has quickly established himself as one of South Africa's brightest forward talents.
Still young, the powerful player has played in both the second row and the back row for Western Province in recent times - proving himself to be an invaluable member of the squad.
Schooled at Montagu High, Elstadt represented Boland in two Craven Week competitions before starting his professional career with Western Province. Hugely talented, he was always expected to emerge as a star player in the future.
Rynhardt is a hard-working player with a great future ahead of him.
Date of Birth: 20/12/89
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 112kg
Currently contracted to: Western Province
Ben Hand began his career at the NSW Waratahs before moving to the ACT Brumbies in 2009 where he had an outstanding debut year.
A specialist lock with vast lineout experience and superb scrummaging strength, Hand has since gone on to achieve over 50 caps in the Super Rugby competition. Hand has taken on a leadership role within the Brumbies, and his maturity and cool head under pressure has proved to be a valuable asset to the team.
He has developed into an excellent lineout technician. and coupled with his high work- rate, is looking forward to a stellar 2012 season.
Date of Birth: 21/04/82
Position: Lock
Height: 1.99m
Weight: 114kgs
Currently contracted
to: ACT Brumbies
Cheetahs lock forward Wilhelm Steenkamp made his mark with the Bulls in the during the 2008 Super 14 season - filling in for Victor Matfield while the Springbok legend was playing in France.
Standing two metres tall, Steenkamp is a fantastic lineout specialist and a player who has been tipped to go on to big things in the future. Highly respected as a leader who never gives anything less than 100%, the former SA Under-21 star moved to the Cheetahs following the 2010 Currie Cup season.
Having represented his country at age-group level in 2006, Steenkamp was a member of the 2009 Emerging Springboks side which famously drew with the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town.
Moving away from Loftus Versfeld was of course a huge decision for Steenkamp but, by joining the Cheetahs, he has given himself the opportunity to prove himself on the Super Rugby stage.
Date of Birth: 07/02/85
Position: Lock
Height: 2.00m
Weight: 110kg
Currently contracted
to: Blue Bulls
Powerful lock forward Coenie Basson has established himself as a key member of the Bourgoin pack in the French Top 14 in recent times.
A former Boland Cavaliers second row, Basson made his move to France ahead of the 2008/09 campaign and has gone from strength to strength during his time in Europe.A hard worker around the park, Basson's set piece work is a key part of his play and something which makes him a key part of any squad.
Date of Birth: 25/09/81
Position: Lock
Height: 1.95m
Weight: 117kg
Born in Uitenhage, former Lions lock forward Dewald Senekal is a powerful and dynamic player who currently plays for Agen in the French Top 14 competition.
Senekal started his career with the Pumas in 2005 and tasted Super 14 action with both the Sharks and the Lions, in 2007 and 2008 respectively, before he made the move to France in 2009.
Date of Birth: 12/01/81
Position: Lock
Height: 1.97m
Weight: 114kg
Currently contracted to: Agen
Stormers and Western Province second row Adriaan Fondse continues to go from strength-to-strength. Powerful and hard-working, Fondse moved to the Cape from the Bulls in 2008 and formed a great partnership with Springbok lock Andries Bekker.
Injury ruled Fondse out of much of the 2009 Currie Cup season but he was back to his best for the 2010 Super 14.
A typical 'engine-room' man, the Affies old boy has regularly been tipped to make the step up to the Springboks but has yet to get the chance.
Fondse continually tops the stats sheets in tackles and cleans and is extremely valuable in line-out.
Date of Birth: 18/07/83
Position: Lock
Height: 1,96m
Weight: 116kg
Currently contracted to: Newcastle Falcons
Young South African lock forward Martin Muller represented his country at a number of age-group levels, including SA Schools and SA Under 21, before then making his Super rugby debut with the Stormers in 2009.
Muller impressed many pundits and coaches around the country with his impressive performances in the 2009 Varsity Cup, playing for UCT, and quickly went through the ranks of Western Province, culminating in his appearance for the Western Cape's Super 14 franchise.
A lineout specialist, Muller also adds great value to any side with his high work-rate around the pitch. Typically a No.5, he is more than capable of filling the shoes of a more typical tight lock if required.
In 2011, after a frustrating previous season spent largely out of the matchday squad, Muller decided to move to Kimberley, joining Griquas. The move immediately looked like the right one for him as he was soon added to the Cheetahs' Super Rugby squad.
Date of Birth: 23/03/88
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 105kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
International Honours: SA Schools (2006), SA U19 (2007), SA
U20 (2008), SA
Students (2009)
Powerful second row Hendrik Roodt signed for Griquas in 2010 and is continuing to prove himself, again and again, as one of the hard men of South African rugby.
A former Bulls age-group and Vodacom Cup star, Roodt left South Africa in 2009 - taking up a contract with the Waratahs in Australia.
He made his Super Rugby debut with the 'Tahs against the Stormers in Cape Town before, following the conclusion of the 2010 Super 14, moving back to South Africa. Roodt joined Griquas ahead of the 2010 Currie Cup and immediately made an impact.
A serious injury brought an early end to his CC season but his performances were enough to secure him a spot in the Cheetahs' 2011 Super 15 squad.
Date of birth: 06/11/87
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 121kg
Currently Contracted to: Lions
International Honours: Emerging Springboks (2008)
A highly skilled lineout jumper, Earle represented Western Province at age- group level before making the step up to Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup rugby.
In 2010, the big lock forward's great defense and powerful ball-carrying abilities prompted the Lions to sign him for their Super Rugby campaign.
Earle enjoyed two great years with the Lions where he helped to turn the Johannesburg- based team's fortunes around, before making the move to Griquas.
Date of Birth: 09/01/87
Position: Lock
Height: 1.97m
Weight: 115kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
A product of Waterkloof High, big lock forward Marius Coetzer has produced some big performances for the Ford Pumas in their 2011 Currie Cup campaign.
After finishing his schooling at Waterkloof High, Coetzer went on to represent the Maties at the National Club Championships, and the Valke, Blue Bulls and Western Province all at Currie Cup level.
A powerful lock forward with vast lineout experience, Coetzer has developed his game during his time at the Pumas, and 2011 has been a standout year for the hard- working second-rower.
Coetzer’s aggressive defense, coupled with his high work-rate, make him a valuable asset to any side.
Date of Birth: 04/04/84
Position: Lock
Height: 1.99m
Weight: 113kg
Currently contracted to: Pumas
One of the real stars in the 2009 Varsity Cup, Jaco Nepgen currently plays his rugby for, ambitious Currie Cup outfit, Griquas.
The former Maties star is represented the SA Students side in 2009 and has previously been involved with Western Province at Under-19 and Under-21 levels.
Nepgen moved to Griquas in 2010 and impressed head coach Dawie Theron and a number of pundits with a string of strong performances.
Date of Birth: 03/01/86
Position: Lock
Height: 1,98m
Weight: 103kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
Griquas second-row Cecil Kemp is a reliable and powerful player who continues to prove himself at the top level of domestic rugby in South Africa.
Almost two metres tall and weighing in around the 120kg mark, Kemp is a solid unit. Despite his great size though he remains a great lineout option and has an impress work-rate around the park, both on attack and in defence.
Date of Birth: 14/03/81
Position: Lock
Height: 1,99m
Weight: 120kg
Currently contracted to: Bourgoin
Originally from Blue Bull country, lock forward Brendon Snyman began his career at Loftus Versfeld, representing the Pretoria-based franchise at age-group level.
The powerful second row moved to the Eagles in 2005 before, a year later, he joined Griquas.
Four seasons on, having extensive top-flight Currie Cup experience, Snyman made the move to EP - joining the ambitious Kings side which is currently being coached by Alan Solomons.
2011 will see Snyman switch to the Leopards. The powerful second row is one of a host of important signings which the Leopards have made and will no doubt be a key player for them next season.
Date of Birth: 21/08/84
Position: Lock
Height: 2.00m
Weight: 126kg
Currently contracted to: Leopards
At over 2 metres tall and with a high work-rate, Van Heerden has added great value to the Leopards at lock.
Van Heerden has made a good impact for the Leopards in only his first Currie Cup campaign and will look to carry that good form into 2012.
Date of Birth: 05/10/1984
Position: Lock
Height: 201cm
Weight: 107kg
Currently contracted to: Leopards
A hugely promising second-row prospect, Cornell Hess played two years of SA Schools and featured in two IRB Junior World Championships with the Baby Boks.
Comfortable playing both as a four and a five lock, Hess is dominating in the lineout and is a powerful ball carrier. Developing at the Bulls, he has enjoyed first hand the experience of working alongside the likes of Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw.
Date of Birth: 01/03/89
Position: Lock
Height: 2,00m
Weight: 106kg
Currently contracted to: Blue Bulls
Young forward Luvuyiso Lusaseni is a powerful second row forward who enjoyed a great loan spell with Griquas during the 2010 Currie Cup competition.
An extremely talented young player forward, Lusaseni recently agreed a contract with the Leopards and will join up with them following the 2011 Varsity Cup competition.
During the early part of the year the powerful second row will be a key member of the TUKS Varsity Cup side. Just 23 years old, the current season is expected to be an important one for the former Sharks player. Highly rated, he certainly has the potential to make the step up this season and play a big role for the Leopards in the Currie Cup competition.
Date of Birth: 16/12/88
Position: Lock
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 102kg
Currently contracted to: Leopards
Powerful second row Grant Le Roux currently plays for Boland in the Vodacom Cup, having graduated to full professional rugby following impressive showings in the Varsity Cup competition.
Le Roux featured in three Varsity Cup campaigns with PUKKE before, in 2011, committing solely to the Cavaliers.
Date of Birth: 13/01/86
Position: Lock
Height: 1.96m
Weight: 111kg
Currently contracted to: SWD Eagles
Second row forward Nolan Clark began his career in Durban before, after a brief spell with Griquas, he made the move down to the Eastern Province.
A big man, standing almost two metres tall and weighing over 115kg, Clark is a hard working tight forward.
Date of Birth: 18/03/84
Position: Lock
Height: 1.99m
Weight: 118kg
Currently contracted to: Boland
TUKS forward Nqubeko Zulu is an imposing figure on the field. Powerful and mobile, he is capable of playing both in the second row and on the blindside flank.
Schooled in Joburg, Zulu played for the Lions in the 2005 Craven Week before making the move to Sharks country in 2006.
Zulu is currently starring for TUKS in the 2011 Varsity Cup and is tipped for geat things in the future thanks to his great work rate and powerful physical presence.
Date of Birth: 25/07/87
Position: Lock
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 107kg
Currently contracted to: TUKS
Young stalwart Mike Williams captained the Sharks at age-group level before deciding to further his career with Tuks and the Blue Bulls.
Williams is a powerful ball carrier and superb lineout technician. His time at the sharks has shown that he possesses fantastic leadership qualities, and shows a maturity beyond his years.
Williams is certainly one for the future.
Date of Birth: 09/11/1991
Position: Lock
Height: 195cm
Weight: 112kg
Currently contracted to: Blue Bulls / Tuks
Young lock forward Michael Passaportis grew up in Zimbabwe before, in 2005, he made the move down to Western Province.
A Zimbabwean international at age-group level, Passaportis was also a key member of two Varsity Cup campaign squads for UCT in 2009 and 2010.
Currently contracted to Griquas, Passaportis has been a regular in Dawie Theron's impressive squad during the Currie Cup campaign.
Date of Birth: 30/06/86
Position: Lock
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: Valence
A product of Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town, Ledwidge represented Western Province in the ABSA U19 Competition in 2006.
Ledwidge, who is a strong ball carrier, enjoys the role of 'enforcer' and relishes the physical exchanges. He had an outstanding year with UCT in their 2010 Varsity Cup campaign before joining up with Hamiltons for the 2011 season.
His performances for Hamiltons, and especially his leadership qualities, have caught the eye of Tuks (University of Pretoria) who have signed him for the 2012 season.
Date of Birth: 16/07/1987
Position: Lock
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 119kg
Currently contracted to: Tuks
A powerful ball-carrier, Yearsley has been a part of the Valke Currie Cup First Division team since 2010.
Yearsley has been a stand-out performer for the Valke since his debut. His rock solid defence, coupled with his ability to cover both lock and blindside flank positions, have made him an invaluable member of the Valke squad.
Date of Birth: 07/05/1986
Position: Lock / Blindside Flank
Height: 199 cm
Weight: 112kg
Currently contracted to: Valke
Ryan Olivier has been an integral part of False Bay Rugby Club since 2007. The big lock forward also represented Western Province at both U18 and U19 level.
Olivier's outstanding performances for False Bay during the 2011 season, caught the eye of the ambitious Tuks (University of Pretoria) who had no hesitation in signing the hard working forward for the 2012 season.
Date of Birth: 17/08/1988
Position: Lock
Height: 196 cm
Weight: 115 kg
Currently contracted to: Tuks
At 2.05m tall, Ehlers is not just a fantastic lineout specialist, but also gets through an enormous amount of work around the park.
Ehlers also possesses strong ball-carrying capabilities, and has been an integral part of the Valke team since 2010.
Date of Birth: 22/05/88
Position: Lock
Height: 2.05m
Weight: 118kg
Currently contracted to: Unattached
