The Sharks and the Springboks have received a blow with the news that wing JP Pietersen will be sidelined for an extended period.

Sport24

Pietersen, 26, injured his groin on the Sharks’ recent Australasian tour, and according to the Beeld website, will undergo an operation on Tuesday.

His Super Rugby season is over and he’ll also miss next month’s Springbok Tests against Samoa, Italy and Scotland.

To lose the versatile Pietersen is bad news for both the Sharks and the Boks, as he could also have been considered at centre – where he played for the Sharks over the last few weeks.

His absence leaves the door open for a possible Springbok call-up for in-form Cheetahs wing Willie le Roux, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be in coach Heyneke Meyer’s plans.

The Sharks face the Bulls in Durban this weekend, with Piet Lindeque now likely to slot in at outside centre. Butch James could also start at inside centre as Meyer Bosman – who has a suspected broken nose – may not be available.

The clash at Kings Park kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.