Jean-Luc du Preez is expected to return from injury for the Sharks’ tour of Australia and New Zealand in March, but Coenie Oosthuizen will miss the entire Super Rugby season.

Du Preez suffered a serious injury in last year’s Currie Cup final, while Oosthuizen tore knee ligaments in the Boks’ end-of-year Test against Ireland on 11 November.

‘Coenie Oosthuizen is going to have been out for about nine months when he returns from injury, which means he’ll probably miss the Super Rugby [tournament] at this stage,’ coach Robert du Preez said.

‘Jean-Luc du Preez had an op on his ankle and conservative estimates are that he’ll be back for the trip to Australia and New Zealand.’

The Sharks are set to open their campaign against the Lions on 17 February, while their overseas tour will kick off with a clash against the Brumbies on 17 March.

‘We have also monitored the guys who came back from Japan,’ Du Preez added. ‘Stephan Lewies has a hip pointer injury, but he’s looking in the best shape he’s ever been in. Lwazi Mvovo and Philip van der Walt will join us next Monday.

‘André Esterhuizen is playing a promotion-relegation match so he will be back later. New signing Makazole Mapimpi joins us from the Cheetahs on Monday.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images