Two World Cup-winning Springboks, Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse, have been dominated out of the Sharks’ Challenge Cup closing towards Gloucester in London on Friday.
SHARKS SUFFER SPRINGBOK SETBACK
There was blended damage information out of the Sharks camp on Tuesday, with director of rugby Neil Powell confirming that Hendrikse and Am will play no half of their title encounter on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hendrikse remains to be recovering from an damage he suffered towards Scarlets in Llanelli final month, whereas Am was one in every of three Springboks – Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Koch the others – that was pressured off within the first half of their match towards Benetton at King Park a fort night time in the past.
“Am is going to be out for a while. I am not sure about the extent of his injury,” Powell stated. He has a shoulder damage that he’s combating and a fractured rib. He will likely be out for fairly a number of weeks. It’s undoubtedly the top of the URC and EPCR marketing campaign for him.
“It’s always a big loss to not have your national players and also your captain. Lukhanyo has been really good for us this season. In knockout games, you want your senior players to be available. So it is a bit of a big loss for us.”
GOOD NEWS AMID THE GLOOM
In higher information for the Challenge Cup finalists, Etzebeth and Koch are anticipated to be match for the ultimate, whereas centre Ethan Hooker additionally recovered from his ankle damage suffered within the Challenge Cup semi-final towards Clermont.
“I think we have capable replacements. Ethan Hooker has done well to put up his hand and show that he can play at this level,” Powell stated.
The Challenge Cup closing between the Sharks and Gloucester kicks off at 9pm (South African time) on Friday night time.
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