The Sharks are set to head into Saturday’s important clash with the Cheetahs without their first-choice midfield combination, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

The Durban-based side lost André Esterhuizen to injury in the lead-up to last Saturday’s encounter against the Lions, necessitating a change that saw Paul Jordaan move to inside centre and JP Pietersen start at 13.

To make matters worse, Jordaan suffered a knee injury early on and had to be replaced by Heimar Williams, who was originally not in the match 23.

After Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park, Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold said it looked as if Jordaan may have sustained serious knee damage, while Esterhuizen is set to be out for another week.

It’s a considerable disruption for a Sharks side that has endured a horrible run of luck on the injury front, with key players such as Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie having spent lengthy periods on the sidelines.

However, the Sharks will be desperately hoping Lambie will be available this week, with the flyhalf needing to successfully come through the necessary concussion protocols in order to be cleared to play this weekend.

Saturday’s encounter in Durban is another crucial one for the Sharks as they look to maintain their three-point advantage over the Bulls in order to hang on to the wildcard-qualifying berth they currently occupy.

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