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JP Pietersen provides mixed bag injury update ahead of URC season opener

By Angus Opperman
Thursday 3 Sep 2026
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 27: Jaco Williams of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks pre season training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on July 27, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

INJURY UPDATE: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen provided various timelines for players returning from injury ahead of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season.

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The Sharks will open their campaign with two home fixtures against the Ospreys and defending champions Leinster before taking on their coastal rivals the Stormers in Cape Town.

The Sharks will play two pre-season games against Currie Cup First Division champions SWD on Friday, September 4, followed by a clash against the Lions the following weekend.

Pietersen said he is positive that he’ll have the bulk of his players returning from injury and be available by the third week of the URC season against the Stormers.

Continues below…

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“Jordan Hendrikse will hopefully be ready to get some game time next week [against the Lions] as does Jason Jenkins and Zekhethelo Siyaya,” Pietersen said.

“Stephan Lewies and Ethan Bester are hopefully on course for the Ospreys match.

“We’re also hoping that Simphiwe Matnanzima and Yaw Penxe will get some minutes next week against the Lions.

“The other guys who are sidelined a bit longer are Emile van Heerden and Jaco Williams; hopefully they’ll be ready for the Stormers clash or soon thereafter.

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“The bulk of our injured players will return against the Lions, and we’ll push them to get some playing minutes under their belts and to build some proper game time into them.”

*Also read: Forgotten Bok scrumhalf gets Sharks starting debut

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