URC: Springbok lock Jason Jenkins latest player to confirm Sharks move

The Sharks may be struggling to generate results in the URC but they most certainly are not struggling to attract players – the latest name to announce that he will be joining the Durban side is one-cap Springbok Jason Jenkins who is set to return to South Africa from Leinster at the end of the season.

While Jenkins makes the move back to South Africa two of the Sharks’ other locks Hyron Andrews and Le Roux Roets will be moving to England.

The Sharks have also confirmed that World Cup-winning centre Andre ‘The Giant’ Esterhuizen is set to return to Kings Park from Harlequins. Veteran prop Trevor Nyakane will also play a final season in KZN.

The last new arrivals bring family connections with them as Lions pair Emmanuel Tshituka and Jordan Hendrikse make the move to the coast where they will join the squad alongside their brothers.

But it is Jenkins, who is expected to lock the scrum alongside Eben Etzebeth who is generating the most excitement. Asked to comment on the player’s ability Johann van Graan, who has been involved in the coaching set-ups at the Bulls, Springboks and Munster, and who is now in charge at Bath, said his potential was enormous.

Speaking to IOL he said: “Jason is a player who has abilities that few in world rugby possess.

“He is one of the few players in World Rugby that you can play at four, five, six and eight — his ball-carrying abilities stand out.

“He has incredibly soft hands in contact. He can carry hard, but can also get a ball out in contact.

“Defensively, he is very strong. He is one of the few players that are over 2m in world rugby that can poach as well.

“That is a strength.

“He can jump and contest anywhere in the line-out. One thing few people know is how good he is at the maul, on both sides of the ball.

“If you look at Leinster’s maul, at the front, all the weight and power comes through him, and they are one of the best in Europe,” he said.

The Sharks will be in action again on Saturday when they face the Lions at Ellis Park.