Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira
The Sharks suffered a major injury scare on Saturday when Tendai Mtawarira left the field in pain, with the early diagnosis indicating a severe injury.
However, after undergoing scans on Monday, a calf tear was downgraded to a calf strain and although he will not be considered for selection for a few weeks, this does not constitute a long term injury.
“Losing an international is a big loss to any team, obviously we aren’t happy about losing Tendai, but there’s nothing we can do, we have to move on,” said assistant coach Sean Everitt.
“Fortunately we do have a big squad with a lot of depth in that position, so Dale Chadwick steps up and we have a youngster who did very well last year in Thomas du Toit.
“So it’s an opportunity for them to put their hands up.”
The other good news is that captain Bismarck du Plessis has been given the all clear to play and will be available for selection this week.
He was given until the last possible moment to take part in the Cheetahs’ match at Kings Park on Saturday, but failed a late fitness test.
No 8 Ryan Kankowski has also returned from Japan and will undergo a series of fitness and medical tests before he is considered available for selection.
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