Already having had a fantastic 2009, lock Steven Sykes is looking to end the year by helping the Sharks to back-to-back Currie Cup titles and being a part of the Springbok tour squad.

With just one week left in the League stage of the Currie Cup, the defending Champions find themselves second on the log. Level on points with Western Province but well behind on points difference, the men from KwaZulu Natal will desperately be looking for a five point-haul this weekend in order to keep the pressure on Luke Watson's men.

Standing in their way though is a determined Griquas side. Dawie Theron's troops are currently in fourth place on the log but need at least two points from this weekend's clash in Kimberley to stay ahead of the Cheetahs and put themselves into a semifinal next weekend.

All of which makes this weekend's match a very exciting prospect.

"You can never take any match down in Kimberley lightly. It's always tough but we’ll definitely be up to the challenge this weekend," said Sykes.

"We've still got top of the table on our minds and getting five points this week [is the goal]. By the time we get off the plane back in Durban we will definitely know what happened between Western Province and the Lions and who came top of the log."

Successfully blooding youngsters early in the season, the Sharks, according to Sykes, are now benefiting from having the Springboks back in the fold as well.

While they may have laboured to a win over the Lions last weekend, the spirits remain high in the Sharks camp.

"We've got a great vibe in the camp at the moment.

"The season as a whole has been great, there have been a lot of youngsters which we have used while our Springboks have been away so I think we've done well with them - giving them game time has been great."

On page two Sykes talks about his Springbok prospects.

365

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