Triple dose of good news for Sharks

Editor

Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis has been given the all clear to face the Lions this weekend while Beast Mtawarira's injury is not as bad as initially feared.

Du Plessis was withdrawn from last week's loss to the Cheetahs at the last minute after he failed a late fitness test on an injured shoulder but will be available for selection this week.

 The Durban side suffered a major injury scare on Saturday when Springbok loosehead Mtawarira left the field at Kings Park in pain, with the early diagnosis indicating a severe injury.

However, after undergoing scans on Monday, a calf tear was downgraded to a calf strain and although he will not be considered for selection for a few weeks, this does not constitute a long-term injury.

“Losing an international is a big loss to any team, obviously we aren’t happy about losing Beast, but there’s nothing we can do, we have to move on,” assistant coach Sean Everitt told the Sharks website.

“Fortunately we do have a big squad with a lot of depth in that position, so Dale Chadwick steps up and we have a youngster who did very well last year in Thomas du Toit. S

“So it’s an opportunity for them to put their hands up.”

In further good news, Springbok loose forward Ryan Kankowski has returned from Japan and will undergo a series of fitness and medical tests before he is considered available for selection.