The Sharks, historically good tourists, are suffering from a brutal injury list which includes several key players, that has severely disrupted their current tour.
Despite this, the team has showed great courage and character in their two matches against the Chiefs and Highlanders.
The Sharks coach, John Plumtree said, “It was evident that the team were playing and working hard for each other on the field, unfortunately the end result did not go our way. Despite the circumstances we find ourselves facing with the number of injuries that we have incurred, we remain positive that we can do well in Australia.”
Some positive news for The Sharks is that Willem Alberts will be joining the squad tomorrow and Bismarck du Plessis together with Butch James will be available for selection in just over a week.
The injured players with their approximate return time:
Allan Dell – MCL strain, right knee: 4 weeks
Cobus Reinach – Left ankle ligament sprain: 6 weeks
Craig Burden – Cervical disc dysfunction: Not established as yet
Dale Chadwick – Stress fracture: 6 weeks
Francois Steyn – Acute compartment syndrome, left lower leg: 6 weeks
Jacques Botes – Right forearm fracture: 8 weeks
Louis Ludik – Right shoulder dysfunction: 4 weeks
Marius Joubert – Right hand fracture: 6 weeks
Paul Jordaan – Left knee ACL disruption: 9 months
Tendai Mtawarira – Left calf muscle tear: 3 weeks
Tim Whitehead – Right forearm fracture: 4 weeks
John Plumtree concluded by saying, “We just need to carry on with what we’ve got. We haven’t given up and that’s an important message from the team. We want to show we are committed, that we hold hope and hopefully our actions on the field will show that.”
