Africa-Press – Liberia. Sharks loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe has been ruled out with injury for “a few months” and looks set to miss the British & Irish Lions tour. It is devastating news for the 27-year-old, who has developed into one of the standout number 8s in South African rugby since his move to Durban at the beginning of 2020.
Just two weeks, ago, Notshe had opened up in a press conference explaining how “desperate” he was to be part of the Lions tour. “If I miss this one, I’ll never lay against them. That’s the honest truth,” Notshe had said at the time.
The news coming out of Kings Park on Tuesday, though, suggested that Notshe’s dream was over. “Number 8, Sikhumbuzo Notshe left the field at the end of the first half in the match against the Bulls last Saturday,” a Sharks statement read. “Scans confirmed that he ruptured his patella tendon. He has undergone surgery and will be out for a few months.” The Boks will play three Tests against the Lions from 24 July – 7 August.
In other Sharks injury news, Dylan Richardson is recovering from an ankle injury and is expected to return to play in approximately three weeks, Boeta Chamberlain is under concussion protocols while Emile van Heerden (ankle), Hanru Jacobs (neck) and John-Hubert Meyer (back) are also injured and are being conservatively managed. The Sharks take on the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.
