Sharks re-build continues to take shape with eye-catching Jenkins signing

Despite their very evident struggles this season, the Sharks continued their knack for premium signings by confirming Jason Jenkins will call Kings Park his new rugby home from next season.

The imposing 28-year-old lock joins from Irish heavyweights Leinster, where he has made a discernible impact over the past two URC and Champions Cup campaigns.

Jenkins' arrival addresses the Durbanites' weakness of lacking a partner of proven class for the peerless Eben Etzebeth in the second row, as well as compensating for the departures of Le Roux Roets and Hyron Andrews.

A St Alban's alumnus, he came through the ranks at the Bulls alongside double World Cup-winner RG Snyman, where the duo dovetailed as a combination.

While both men made their Springbok debuts in 2018 under Rassie Erasmus, Jenkins surprisingly fell down the pecking order and eventually made an off-season gig with Japanese side Toyota Verblitz a permanent one before the local game was reminded of his power and potency, when he was loaned to Jake White's Bulls during Super Rugby Unlocked in late 2020.

So compelling had his short stint been that it grabbed the attention of Munster, where injuries limited his playing time.

Those appearances, though, were enough to convince the famously thorough Leinster that his signature was essential, and his early appearances even prompted then Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber to include him for the end-of-year tour of 2022.

Capable of playing in both the No 4 and 5 jerseys, an in-form Jenkins would prove an irresistible combination with Etzebeth.

His experience should also serve promising rookies such as Corne Rahl well.

The Sharks are also expected to finalise negotiations with Andre 'The Giant' Esterhuizen and Trevor Nyakane and have