Andrew Evans

A lineout specialist in the Sharks' engine room, Andrew Evans brings set-piece reliability and a heavy work rate to the second row. Born on 31 May 1997, the Zimbabwean lock has represented his country at international level, and that experience underpins the composure he shows in the tight exchanges. Evans is valued first and foremost for his aerial work: as a primary target at the lineout he offers his hookers a dependable option, and his timing and height help the Sharks secure the clean possession from which their attack is launched. Around the field he contributes the kind of unglamorous graft expected of a modern lock — hitting rucks, providing weight in the scrum and putting in a steady stream of tackles as a robust defender. His physical presence in the engine room gives the Durban side ballast up front, whether starting or adding impact from the bench. Locks who combine set-piece accuracy with genuine defensive appetite are the backbone of any competitive pack, and Evans fits that mould, offering the Sharks a durable, uncomplicated forward who does the fundamental jobs well. As he continues to develop, that reliability at the lineout and in contact remains the foundation of his contribution to the squad.