AUDIO: Injury-haunted Sharks banking on Bok stars' return

Sharks coach John Plumtree will be desperately hoping for some positive news on the injury front after another costly loss in Cape Town.

Replacement Jean-Luc du Plessis charged over from close range as the Stormers snatched a 24-20 win in their Round Nine United Rugby Championship match at the weekend.

While it was a costly loss, it is an injury list growing at an alarming rate that caused the biggest concern.

Eben Etzebeth, who missed the last few games because of concussion and other niggles – back and shoulder – is one of two high-profile Springboks that could return when the Sharks resume their European campaign with a home game against Stade Toulousain on January 11.

Plumtree said he is also hopeful of having Boks like hooker Bongi Mbonambi back, Grant Williams and Lukhanyo Am back from injury.

James Venter and Vincent Tshituka are also potentially available.

Plumtree certainly needs a healthy dosage of good news, after his team’s heartbreaking 20-24 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend.

The Sharks coach, Plumtree, said it may be too early to confirm the real extent of the damage, but confirmed they have a couple of players with knee injuries.

World Cup-winning Springbok Andre Esterhuizen, who left the field in the 47th minute, is at the top of the list of sickbay entries.

Fellow Bok Aphelele Fassi, also a 47th-minute casualty, has gone to hospital for a scan.

Lock Emile van Heerden, 15th minute, also has a knee problem.

(Sharks coach John Plumtree gives an update on an injury list growing at an alarming rate…..)

“It was not a great day at the office on the injury front,” a dejected Plumtree said.

“Emile has problems with his knees,” the coach said about Van Heerden’s latest injury, adding: “We have to bulletproof him differently.

“He is such a good player, but he has been plagued by injuries.”

He said that it got a bit ‘chaotic’ at the end with all the injuries – players needing to play out of position.

“[Outside centre] Jurenzo [Julius] was cramping.

“[Inside centre] Andre [Esterhuizen] and [fullback Aphelele] Fassi had left the field with injuries.

“We did the best we could under the circumstances.

“Injuries are a thing at the moment. They seem to be haunting us a little bit.

“They are not one or two-week injuries. They are more like six to eight weeks.

“It is very stressful for the team.”

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