The Sharks have a considerable injury concern after captain and key flyhalf Pat Lambie suffered suspected AC joint damage against Toulon.

Lambie, who had to leave the field with his arm in a sling late in the first half of the friendly match, will be taken for scans to determine the severity of the shoulder injury. However, initial fears were that it could be serious.

The Sharks will be desperately hoping that it isn’t as bad as first thought considering that Lambie is not only the team’s leader, but a key backline figure.

He has endured real misfortune on the injury front over the past couple of years, having suffered a serious bicep injury during the 2014 Super Rugby season, while a neck injury kept him out of a significant portion of last year’s competition.

Should Lambie be ruled out of action again, the Sharks may have to turn to Joe Pietersen to slot in at flyhalf, a position he fulfilled during last year’s Currie Cup.

Meanwhile, there will also be some concern over flanker Francois Kleinhans, who suffered an injury and had to be replaced early on against Toulon.

The Sharks are set to play Toulouse in another friendly on Thursday before kicking off their Super Rugby campaign against the Kings on 27 February.

Match report: Sharks hold off Toulon

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images