Kankowski blow for Sharks
The Sharks were dealt a cruel blow on the eve of their departure on a four-week Australasian Super Rugby tour.
Seasoned Springbok loose forward and Sharks stalwart Ryan Kankowski has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Kankowski's injury, and his subsequent return, has not been specified, with the Sharks not setting a potential return date for the No.8
Kankowski was pulled out at short notice, in mysterious circumstances, ahead of the encounter with the Lions a fortnight ago.
He also did not feature in the loss to the Bulls last week.
Kankowski was initially named in the Sharks touring squad, which will depart for Australasia on Saturday.
However, half-an-hour later he was pulled out, without an explanation as to the nature of the injury.
Other players not considered for selection due to injury or suspension include Springboks Patrick Lambie, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jean Deysel (suspended), SP Marais, Lubabalo Mtembu and Paul Jordaan.
The Du Preez brothers, Daniel and Jean-Luc, as well as Thomas du Toit, were not considered due to their selection to the South African Under-20 squad.
Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold was able to welcome back captain Bismarck du Plessis and Bok utility back Frans Steyn from suspension.
They will join the 27-man squad that departs on Saturday.
The Sharks face the Highlanders in Dunedin next Friday, May 1, before taking on the Hurricanes (Wellington, May 9), Waratahs (Sydney, May 16) and Reds (Brisbane, May 22).
"I have gone for 15 forwards and 12 backs," Gold said.
"My selection was based on who is fit and healthy, but the nice thing is that there are a lot of guys who can play in different positions.
"We are looking forward to this tour.
"Tours are funny things, I've seen teams in far worse positions than us fight to get back and we not giving up the fight.
"I believe in this group of guys and I am keen to work with them in adverse times – that's when you see true warriors come out.
"That's our challenge. We are down, but we're not out and now is the time to stand up and fight back.
"If we come back fighting in the last six games, we'll salvage a lot of respect," Gold added.
Sharks squad:
Forwards: Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Mouritz Botha, Renaldo Bothma, Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis (captain), Jannie du Plessis, Stephan Lewies, Franco Marais, Tendai Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Etienne Oosthuizen, Matt Stevens, Marco Wentzel.
Backs: Lionel Cronje, Andre Esterhuizen, Conrad Hoffmann, Waylon Murray, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Cobus Reinach, Sibusiso Sithole, Francois Steyn, Stefan Ungerer, Fred Zeilinga.
