The Sharks will likely have to make their push for a top-eight finish in the Vodacom URC without Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi.
Coach JP Pietersen confirmed on Thursday that the 28-year-old faces an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury against the Lions at Ellis Park last week.
“Fassi saw a surgeon this week and we’re just waiting to hear if it’s surgery or rehab,” he said. “I don’t want to speculate, but it could be around six weeks if it’s rehab, or longer if he needs an operation. We’ll have more clarity soon.”
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Pietersen has selected Jaco Williams, who has starred on the wing for the Sharks, at 15 for Saturday’s match against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
The coach is confident the 20-year-old will be up to the task.
“Jaco is a fullback. That’s his position, so we’ve got no problem with him moving there.”
Pietersen recalled Springbok prop Ox Nché and centre André Esterhuizen, both of whom missed the Lions defeat, but made it clear that was not reactionary.
“André was always going to play this weekend. He’s our captain. Ox was also always going to be back. It’s part of our rotation.”
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Reflecting on the Lions loss, Pietersen said: “We had 21 or 22 unforced errors and turnovers conceded. We only had 30-odd percent territory. If you turn the ball over and knock it on in your own 22, you’re not going to win the territory battle.
“We couldn’t build pressure,” he added. “We’d get one positive and turn it into two negatives. That’s something we’ve addressed this week.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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