Steven Sykes has decided to call time on his career at the Sharks.Leinster have just released a statement about the signing of the 26 year old lock and as well as a flyhalf and tight head prop from the Crusaders and Connacht respectively.
Sykes, an almost permanent feature in the 4 jersey for the Sharks in recent years has been a member of the Sharks squad since 2003 and its hard to imagine he is only 26 years old.
Steven is quick to state the move is purely a career move and is hopeful that the move could even see him belting out Ireland’s call for a team in a very light shade of green but did concede that leaving the Sharks was in no way an easy decision and one he took lightly saying that after he had signed the Leinster contract he sat down in long reflection about the decision but ultimately feels it is the correct one.
Sykes has represented the Sharks in over 130 games and still promises The Sharks 100 % in the Super Rugby competition currently underway and the upcoming Currie Cup.
We at Sharksworld hope Sykesie gets to lift another trophy or two while still part of the Black and White family.
Very, very sad day for the Sharks….
not good!! this loss will really be felt by our forward pack…
Good luck Sykesie…
who in our ranks will replace him? Mostert? Skeate?
Sykes was no flashy player, but got the gritty work done…
Another one bites the dust!
I wish you all the best Mr Sykes, but before you go, you got to win us a SR trophy.
@VanWilder (Comment 2) : I dont think there is anyone who can replace him…
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bad news this… but we have depth in the second row.
Very bleak. Crap news. Especially after yesterday.
WTF!!! CANT BELIEVE WE LET HIM GO!!!
This is bleak! Just when we find a settled combo ala Matfield/Botha, Sykes leaves. I am sure he could have played a bigger role in the Bok setup post RWC 2011
@BoerSeun (Comment 8) : we had no choice. His contract is up and he wants to play international rugby
Irish rugby has to be more careful than others when it comes to the influx of foreigners. Compared to England and France, they have a small system and altho guys like Sykes, Pienaar and co improve the quality of Irish Club rugby, with only 4 quality teams (Munster, Ulster, Leinster and questionably Connacht) these foreigners rob homegrown players of opportunities to develop thru playing against top opposition.
He will always be a Shark…u can tell he played for the jersey everytime he put it on. No worries though, we still have the 4 quality locks we require to remain at the top of our game. Mostert,Hargreaves,Skeate and Bresler.
Off Topic- Sbura Sithole is developing very well with the SA Sevens team, he was great in Hong Kong. Replacement for Odders when he retires.Odwa has been great for us lately, good form. Personally he is our best youngster coming through our systems for the wing position. Unfortunately Jordaan injured his quad, would have been cool to see The Sharkies Jordaan and Sithole play alongside each other.
This feels like a hammer blow to the sharks pack! Well now mossie must step-up..sharks must make sure they keep him.
@bergshark (Comment 14) : He would not have signed if he did not think The Sharks would have cover. We will still have 4 top class locks which is what Sharks always try to make sure they have. Eg. 2 top class players for each position/Number.If we need someone they will get an appropriate replacement, but personally i don’t think we need to go to the cheque book.
Afternoon all
eish what a week-end
this is not good at all i’ll and think all will miss him
but his choice is made
so good luck Steven and thanks for the time at Sharks Tank it was agreat pleasure to scream go sykes
todd blackadder says his team can get better, holly smokes!!!
Blackadder said: “It was a fantastic first half
but in the second half it was helter skelter
rugby and I was very nervous watching as
a coach.
“You can ease off mentally when you have
game won and we didn’t have the urgency
in the second half.
“I know what we are capable of and we can
be better than we were in the second half.
We need to keep working and get even
better.”
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 3) :
now you are talking still alot of hope and guts in our team they showed us all on Sunday they still have what we need to win
even if we lost
@Megatron (Comment 17) : i was wondering when the old troll was to appear and good work by the saders but the sharks still gave their all and it was great rugga from both sides
@Megatron: ag many coaches say that-bit of psychology,training to make other teams say:wow!.. Gain the upper hand subconsciously.
Training equals trying..
@JJR (Comment 12) : i think most of our guys when they put the Black and White jersey on it was worn with all the proud they have
even our JLP had a great game and turned out to be one good Shark time will tell if he goes from good to one of the best
@JJR: sykes is the type of player every pack must have..
@bergshark (Comment 21) :
@bergshark (Comment 23) : but who is going to take his place and do us proud like sykes has
@bergshark (Comment 20) : you reckon saders can’t get better with mccaw back, read @ 8…
@Megatron: didn’t wanna mention that the saders were missing mcgaw lol .. But sharks were missing lambie,a match-fit jpp (by the sounds of it),deysel.
Even with mcgaw in the mix,I still reckon the stormers can beat the saders ..
Mostert to take his place,I would have suggested that anyways.
He was a bruising ball carrier yesterday.
@bergshark (Comment 27) : you can say that again LAMBIE
Can I get some credit please. I told you Sykes was leaving for Ireland weeks ago.
@Speed7 (Comment 30) :
Great job.
Of course, Rob called this about 3 or 4 months ago…
Well that sux…
Really ? If so sorry ,I wasn’t around then. My God you guys do have a deep love for this Rob guy. Is this a blog or a cult ?
@Speed7 (Comment 33) : this is a family. We’d love you to join… just stop being such a disagreeable sod
That’s fine. Rather think of me as the ginger-haired step son.
@Speed7 (Comment 35) : Sorry. I’ve got that role already.
@Speed7 (Comment 30) : Ill give you some credit, I remember you saying it.
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
Rob how do i go by raisng money for a guy that needs a kidney transplant can SW help somehow please
@JJR (Comment 13) : Did you also notice Sithole? Man he is one heck of a player. Shows you how much I know. Just thought come on SHARKS get Sithole in our setup. Wow, we will do well with him. A massive talent he is. So pleased he is with the Sharks.
Damn really sorry to hear Sykes is going. That is bad news really. One of the bloggers here said so last week. Huge loss.
All the best Sykes.
Yes Dan odanga anyone!
Sykes is a good Currie Cup and Super rugby player but I feel he is a bit short of Bok class. Going to Ireland could be an excellent career move for him because he’s unlikely to feature for the Boks whereas he may eventually crack the nod for the Irish.
He’s done a very good job for the Sharks over the years and is often one of those unsung heroes who does the dirty work that goes unseen.
Sykes played for the E-Boks. The naming error at the IRB, that allowed Barritt to play for the Saxons, was cleared up by the time Sykes played for them. The E-Boks are the official SA A-team, once you rep for them, it precludes you from changing nations.
Further to that. There’s this:
8.3 For the purposes of this Regulation, a Player is deemed to have played for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team of a Union if:
(a) He is selected for such team to play in an International Match against the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team of another Union (or in a fifteen-a-side international Match against another Union’s senior or next senior Touring Squad during an IRB approved International Tour) and is present at the Match played by that team either as a replacement, substitute or a playing member of that team and has, at the time of the Match, reached the age of majority
That is purposely wide enough to encompass more than just winning a cap for the first XV. He was on the bench for the 3rd Lions test but never played, the wording is such that it could also count as tying him to SA.
I say he’s locked out of repping for another nation. On two different counts. Would be a mockery of IRB rules, certainly the spirit of them even if a suit came up with some clever words, if he played for Ireland.
Yes; I recall the talk of Sykes leaving, this is indeed a loss, but believe we can develop our depth. Mostert can be an able replacement. Wish him all the best, but look forward to seeing him play more games ’til then.
This is sad news! Sykes to me is just so part of this team, that even though he would be replaced – there would be a hole in the team for a while! I wish him all the best with his rugby career in Ireland – we sure as hell gonna miss his unnoticed unflashy grinding and grafting in the games.
Sad news that Sykes is leaving…I wish him well. Thanks Syksie for your commitment and hard word with the Sharks.
@VanWilder (Comment 2) : Really think that Mostert will be the one to take over the number 4 jersey. Skeate is just too light (in my opinion).
All the best to Sykesie … he is a huge part of the engine room in the Sharks team. He will be sorely missed, mark my words … Few players do as much of the dirty work as what Sykes has done over the years.
Jeez didn’t expect this… It sucks!
Good luck Sykes, you’ve been one of my favourite players!
You are more than welcome to come back any time you want.
Bad News this , but Syksie has done us proud while he’s been with us . So all the best for you in Ireland Steven
Once a Shark , always a Shark
come back anytime Steven.
Say howzit too Ruaan , Johann and co @ Ulster while over there
This move might be a bit premature for Sykes….Bakkies and Danie will be leaving the end of the year so that would leave Flip vd Merwe as the only other 4 lock that has international experience. Sykes might have been in for a shot at the Bok jersey next year.
@Pokkel (Comment 51) : my feeling too…
@Magic Merkin (Comment 43) : You have a point there – just saw an article on that very same matter…I think he will be devastated if he signed and will not be eligible to play for Ireland!
Sad indeed if sykes signed under the illusion of him being eligible to play for ireland in the future ,and it not so
.. Tear up the contract and re-join the sharks,sykesie!
@bergshark (Comment 54) : or perhaps someone is just trying to get a story…who knows – or a last minute attempt to get him to stay!!
@Ice: I’m really gonna miss the name of steve sykes on the Sharks teamsheet
@bergshark (Comment 54) :
@Ice (Comment 55) : hope you are right 
we need sykes
@Pokkel (Comment 51) :
I reckon this opens the door for our very own Gerhard Mostert..
@bergshark (Comment 56) : A lot of us – I think over the years he has manage to built up quite a substantial fanbase.
@chaz (Comment 57) : Chaz – he has signed…he’s off….
Well yes it does open the door for mossie to step-up and regain his form whilst still at the lions..and some more!this guy is the replacement for bakkies botha ..
Sad bout the injuries
if not for that ,one of either hargs or sykesie woulda been fighting it out for a starting spot.
@Ice (Comment 59) :
oh well another one bites the dust i guess just have to look harder to replace him
Sykes is just one of those players that you never expect to leave.
it will be difficult picturing him in anything else but the black and white..the crusaders flyhalf is probably Matt Berquist..
My money is on this youngster anton to step up…
Damn.. Didn’t realise he started when only 19 years old! Thanks for the service Sykesie… Come say good-bay here in Rustenburg. I’m sure Jaco,wife and kids will appreciate it!