Two more Sharks under the knife
Two more key players for the Sharks face long-term injury lay-offs.
Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold confirmed that Stephan Lewies and Frans Steyn are set to undergo surgery.
"Unfortunately it looks like they're both going to be out with long-term injuries," Gold told a media gathering in Durban.
"Stephan [Lewies] has ruptured his patella tendon," the Sharks boss aid, adding: "Fransie [Steyn] has torn his pectoral muscle.
"It looks like both will need surgery, so that is very disappointing for us."
Lewies and Steyn are the latest additions to an injury list that already includes names like Cobus Reinach (fractured hand), Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee) and Pat Lambie (neck vertebrae).
Hoping to salvage some pride from a disastrous campaign – with games against the Rebels (this coming Friday, May 29) and the Stormers (May 13) to come, with a bye sandwiched in between – the last thing they needed was more injuries.
Lewies, who missed the first half of the season through injury, damaged his knee in the 21-14 win over the Reds in Brisbane at the weekend.
He was taken from the field on a mobile stretcher in the 31st minute, after the 23-year-old landed awkwardly at a line-out.
Steyn, who has been influential since his return from his ban, left the field in the 60th minute with a pectoral muscle injury.
Gold said it is very important that the team continue to win, after ending a six-match losing streak against the Reds.
"We are back at home after a month away and luckily we're coming off a good result," he said about last Friday's outing.
"Its critically important that we keep that momentum going.
"We showed the character and tenacity to turn it around [after six defeats] and we can finish the competition on a high.
"We really want to put up a big performance."
Gold was also happy to accept the underdog tag in their outing against the Rebels on Friday.
"They've won more games that we have this year," he said, adding: "They're more improved as a team over the last couple of years."
He felt the Rebels will pose similar threats to the Reds.
"They have big strong running backs and an outstanding back row," the Sharks boss said.
"They playing with four openside loose forwards, so the breakdown area is going to be huge.
"They are very well coached, you can see that in terms of their structures.
"Once they get into phase play, they look after the ball.
"That's why they've had the results they have, against some very good teams.
"We're going to have our work cut out us, they've had some big victories this year – they've beaten the Waratahs, the Crusaders away, some big scalps and they're not a team to take lightly.
"It's going to be a tough game."
