Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and centre Jeremy Ward will be sidelined for lengthy periods because of injuries sustained during pre-season matches.

Schreuder suffered a hamstring injury during the Sharks’ pre-season match against the Bulls in Polokwane and will be out of action for four to six weeks.

Ward was selected to play in both warm-up matches – against the Bulls and then Racing 22 this past weekend in Hong Kong –  but suffered a hand fracture which has necessitated surgical fixation. He will be out for around eight weeks.

In other injury news, the Sharks confirmed that Coenie Oosthuizen is expected to miss the entire Super Rugby season after sustaining a knee injury during the Springboks’ match against Ireland last November. The prop will be out for nine months.

Bok flank Jean-Luc du Preez underwent ankle surgery in November and is on track for a return to action in March.

Four other players are back in the mix and can be considered for selection to play the Lions in the Sharks’ opening Super Rugby clash next Saturday. Daniel du Preez, Akker van der Merwe, Michael Claassens and Jean Droste will be training with the team from next week.

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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images