Injury concern for Sharks' Boks
REACTION: The Sharks’ win over Zebre Parma have been accompanied by a couple of injury concerns.
The Sharks earned their fourth straight win and kept their unbeaten home run intact with a 38-6 win over the Zebre on Saturday.
It was not as smooth sailing as the scoreline suggested.
The hosts only managed to take a narrow 10-6 lead at the break thanks to a try by Henco Venter and the boot of Curwin Bosch.
They produced a much better second-half performance scoring four unanswered tries for the win.
Springbok Power 🇿🇦@BongiMbonambi sneaks under the Zebre Parma defence to extend the @SharksRugby lead 🦈#URC | #SHAvZEB pic.twitter.com/xyYSxQdbvm
— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 19, 2022
However, the most pressing concern will be the replacement of inform Aphelele Fassi.
The 24-year-old Springbok left the field at the break due to an ankle injury and was replaced by Boeta Chamberlain.
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit also left the field prematurely due to a wrist injury.
#REPORT: @SharksRugby secure costly @URCOfficial victory over @ZebreRugby #rugby #News #URC #SHAvZEB https://t.co/qgDTKVtlFR
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 19, 2022
Speaking to reporters in the wake of the hard-fought win, Sharks coach Sean Everitt revealed they have yet to determine the severity of the injuries.
“Fassie sustained an ankle injury and he is in a bit of pain,” Sharks coach Everitt said.
“We will have to do the necessary checkups on him and send him for scans if required.”
In regards to Du Toit, Everitt said: “It looks like he will be okay.
“He did hurt his wrist and we took him off the field because we didn’t feel that we need to risk him.”
Meanwhile, Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche and Makazole Mapimpi missed the Zebre clash.
Mapimpi was originally named in the starting XV but was replaced by Yaw Penxe just hours before kick-off.
“Mapimpi got some knocks last week against Scarlets,” Everitt said.
“He was not feeling great the Monday so we took the conservative route and decided to rest him and Nche.”
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