Marcell Coetzee has returned home following a tour-ending injury suffered in the Sharks 22-16 win over the Rebels on Friday.
Jacques Botes has been drafted in as a replacement for the remainder of the tour, which continues with a crunch clash against the Brumbies on Saturday.
The table-topping Sharks have given no indication on the extent of the shoulder injury or how long Coetzee is expected to be out for.