Injury ends Steyn's season

Editor

The Sharks injury woes have grown with the news that Frans Steyn is out for the season while Craig Burden has returned home.

The Sharks injury woes have grown with the news that Frans Steyn will miss the rest of the season while Craig Burden has returned home.

Steyn limped off the field during his side's loss to the Highlanders on Saturday with an injury to his lower leg. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but further investigation led to a diagnosis of “compartment syndrome”, which is heavy pressure build-up in a limb.

The Springbok has since undergone surgery to release the pressure and will go under the knife once more on Tuesday, with the Sharks hopeful he will be able to fly home on Thursday.

The loss of Steyn leaves the already-depleted Sharks back division woefully short in the midfield with Paul Jordaan ruled out of the current campaign, Tim Whitehead yet to feature due to an arm injury and Marius Joubert having picked up a knock while on Vodacom Cup duty on Friday.

One man who has already departed the touring party is Craig Burden, with the hooker suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck.

Springbok number two Bismarck du Plessis has not yet full recovered from a knee injury and as such it is Sharks XV hooker Monde Hadebe who will replace Burden.