Ethan Bester

The Sharks' production line of forwards continues with Ethan Bester, a flanker cut from the classic South African mould. Born in October 2004, Bester is a young loose forward whose game is built around the breakdown, the area where openside specialists earn their keep through tackling, jackaling and the constant contest for possession. South African rugby has a long tradition of producing combative fetchers, and Bester fits that lineage, valued for his work rate and his appetite for the physical side of the contest. At this stage of his career the priority is development, adding the conditioning, decision-making and consistency that senior rugby requires while pushing for opportunities within a strong Sharks squad. As one of the emerging forwards in the system, he represents the franchise's continued faith in homegrown talent and will look to build his case for regular involvement in one of the most competitive forward environments in the URC.