Springbok utility back Ethan Hooker is set to be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a serious shoulder injury.
Hooker dislocated his shoulder when Ospreys winger Luke Morgan dived on him after he’d scored a try in Saturday night’s 21-17 defeat in Swansea.
“Ethan’s injury was a massive blow for us,” Pietersen said. “After scoring a try, the rules say you are not supposed to dive on a player and rules are there to protect players and sadly that did not happen.
“He dislocated his shoulder. He is a massive presence for us and to lose him after the first half was very disappointing and frustrating.”
Ethan Hooker goes coast-to-coast
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Depending on the severity of the dislocation, Hooker could be out of action for between three to four months.
REPORT: Sharks suffer killer blow
The Springboks open their international season with a match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June, before playing their opening Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park on 4 July.
The world champions also face Scotland and Wales in July, before taking on the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry series in August and September.
The Sharks, meanwhile, remain on the road and will visit Edinburgh on Friday night.
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