Head coach John Dobson has confirmed that loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani suffered a knee injury in the first half of his Western Province debut against the Sharks on Wednesday.

Dayimani, who joined Western Province on a loan deal from the Lions for the Currie Cup, was making his first start since the first round of the competition.

However, the 23-year-old’s first appearance for the blue-and-white hoops ended in disappointment as he had to be substituted in the first half with an injury.

Province went on to win the match 32-31 and stay on top of the Currie Cup log.

After the match, Dobson confirmed that Dayimani’s injury was new and not a recurrence of the long-term injury the player had suffered last November.

“Hacjivah went early on with a knee [injury],” Dobson said. “It was early on, only after around 15 or 20 minutes. He is going for a scan now. It’s a big blow. He is someone who we are really excited about. We are very disappointed.

“It looks an MCL [medial collateral ligament]. I am not sure what grade it is. If it is a grade one [tear], then it could only be a couple of weeks. But if it’s a grade two, then maybe six to eight weeks. He is going off for a scan.

“The other knee is the one that has been more influential in the past. It’s a new injury. He just got buckled as he went in for a poach at the breakdown.”

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images