Get Newsletter

'It's expensive': Sharks' injury list grows ahead of big showdowns

REACTION: The Sharks’ squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks after a few more names were added to their injury list.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Durban side kicked off their 2024/2025 Champions Cup campaign with a 39-21 bonus-point win over Exeter Chiefs at Kings Park and it was an “expensive” outing.

Loose forward Vincent Tshituka and James Venter left the field early in that clash and both players could be seen with their left arms in slings on the bench.

Meanwhile, veteran lock Eben Etzebeth suffered a concussion in the second half.

The Sharks were already without Lukhanyo Am (forearm) and Gerbrandt Grobler (foot) ahead of the match after they suffered injuries in a win over the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship a week earlier.

The story continues below…

“We’ve picked up some injuries, which will put us under pressure,” said Plumtree.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s serious injuries now. It looks like our two loose forwards could be out for a while and Eben has come off with a concussion and we are going to monitor him.

“It’s been an expensive one and now we’ve got to navigate a trip across to Leicester [in the Champions Cup] and then come back and play a tough Bulls side and then finish up with the Stormers in Cape Town [in the URC].

“We are in for a big three weeks with a squad that is under a little bit of pressure with injuries.

“Now we are going to have to use some players in our wider group and we will see how good our squad is.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The story continues below…

It was a shaky last quarter for the Sharks against the English side with Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden and Eduan Keyter all getting yellow cards in quick succession.

“The last 20 minutes became a bit of a circus for us,” said Plumtree.

“We were down to 12 at one stage and I thought we managed that last 10 minutes pretty well.

“We kept them out a couple of times and managed to get a bit of territory and we were hanging on.

“I will have a good look at why that happened and why we got into that situation.”

@rugby365com

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 30 | Christmas Special

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Day Two Men's Highlights

South Africa v New Zealand | Rugby World Cup 1995 Final | The Vaults

How did Australia go five in a row? | HSBC Life on Tour

Behind the Scenes | World Rugby Awards

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment