'It's expensive': Sharks' injury list grows ahead of big showdowns

12/08/2024 02:20 AM

REACTION: The Sharks' squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks after a few more names were added to their injury list.

The Durban side kicked off their 2024/2025 Champions Cup campaign with a 39-21 bonus-point win over Exeter Chiefs at Kings Park and it was an "expensive" outing.

Loose forward Vincent Tshituka and James Venter left the field early in that clash and both players could be seen with their left arms in slings on the bench.

Meanwhile, veteran lock Eben Etzebeth suffered a concussion in the second half.

The Sharks were already without Lukhanyo Am (forearm) and Gerbrandt Grobler (foot) ahead of the match after they suffered injuries in a win over the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship a week earlier.

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"We've picked up some injuries, which will put us under pressure," said Plumtree.

"It's serious injuries now. It looks like our two loose forwards could be out for a while and Eben has come off with a concussion and we are going to monitor him.

"It's been an expensive one and now we've got to navigate a trip across to Leicester [in the Champions Cup] and then come back and play a tough Bulls side and then finish up with the Stormers in Cape Town [in the URC].

"We are in for a big three weeks with a squad that is under a little bit of pressure with injuries.

"Now we are going to have to use some players in our wider group and we will see how good our squad is."

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It was a shaky last quarter for the Sharks against the English side with Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden and Eduan Keyter all getting yellow cards in quick succession.

"The last 20 minutes became a bit of a circus for us," said Plumtree.

"We were down to 12 at one stage and I thought we managed that last 10 minutes pretty well.

"We kept them out a couple of times and managed to get a bit of territory and we were hanging on.

"I will have a good look at why that happened and why we got into that situation."

@rugby365com

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