Lambie's season comes to an end
Not only did the Sharks' unbeaten run come to an end, they have lost the services of one of their key play-makers for the rest of the season.
It was confirmed on Monday that Patrick Lambie's pectoral muscle injury – sustained in the opening minutes of their 19-23 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria at the weekend – will rule him out for the rest of the season.
Lambie was injured when his arm was over-extended in a weak tackle.
It was initially suggested Lambie would be sidelined for only about six to eight weeks, but scans revealed a torn biceps tendon.
Lambie will undergo surgery later this week, with recovery taking up to six months.
Added to that is confirmation that scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will also be sidelined for some time.
Reinach, who fractured hand and left the field minutes after Lambie, underwent surgery on Monday.
He will be out of action for up to eight weeks.
He will miss the Sharks' home game against the Waratahs in Durban this coming Saturday, as well as three matches in April – the Lions away (April 12), at home to the Cheetahs (April 19) and Highlanders (April 25).
He will also miss at least part of the tour to Australasia, if not all – when they face the Rebels (in Melbourne, May 2), Brumbies (Canberra, May 10), Crusaders (Christchurch, May 17) and the Blues (Albany, May 23).
The loss of the pair is a huge blow to the Sharks' aspirations of ending their Super Rugby title drought.
Director of Rugby Jake White spoke at length about how they struggled to cope with the loss of Lambie and Reinach inside the first 10 minutes against the Bulls.
