Is Wentzel's season over?
The Sharks suffered a cruel blow with the news that veteran lock Marco Wentzel could be ruled out for the rest of the Currie Cup season.
The 34-year-old lock was listed with a "shoulder dislocation" in the team's Monday medical update, but no time frame has been put on his lay-off.
"He is seeing a specialist this week," the medical report stated.
However, dispatches from Durban suggest the second row veteran will not see any action again this season.
The Sharks, who take on Griquas in their hoodoo city of Kimberley on Saturday, could not have asked for worst news as they head into the second half of the season.
They will be determined to put on a far better display in the wake of their disappointing 19-25 loss to Western Province this past Saturday.
Apart from the possible season-ending injury to Wentzel, Sharks doctor Alan Kourie revealed that fellow lock Anton Bresler had a small procedure on his shoulder two weeks ago and is coming along nicely. He has been sidelined since the Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury and need some "cleaning out" in a follow up surgery.
The good news is that Pieter-Steph du Toit is available again for selection, following the sternum injury that forced him to withdraw from the Springbok squad ahead of the international season in June.
He had struggled with the injury for some time and once he joined the Boks, following specialist opinions, it was decided to withdraw him from the squad.
Another Bok, utility back Francois Steyn is still recovering from his knee injury. The Sharks doctor said his recovery is "on track", without putting a timeframe on his return.
Midfielder Paul Jordaan, who injured his ACL (knee) in a freak training ground accident while playing touch rugby on the Sharks' Australian tour during the Super Rugby season, is also well down the track with his rehabilitation.
S'bura Sithole, who fractured his hand before season, is also "almost ready" for selection.
