Willem Alberts

It is still unsure as to when Springbok Willem Alberts will return from injury as the Sharks prepare to face the Cheetahs in Round One of Super Rugby this weekend.

Alberts, who damaged a hamstring while on duty with the Springboks, has been out of action since before the Rugby Championship in August last year.

The flank went down with the injury right before the Boks first game against Argentina at a soggy Loftus Versfeld, this allowed Warren Whitely to make his debut.

Alberts also missed the next game against in Salta.

He was however included in the Boks’ squad to travel to New Zealand and Australia on condition he had sufficiently recovered.

This however was not the case as the bruising loose forward remained at home.

Now, almost six months down the line, Alberts is still not ready to run onto the pitch for the Sharks.

“We are not to sure when Willem will be back, hopefully soon,” Sharks forward coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson confirmed on Tuesday.

“We do not want to put a date on it, but we are looking at the next couple of weeks.”

The injury to Alberts may open up the door for new recruit Renaldo Bothma who looked impressive against Toulon at the weekend.

However, this spot is also available for recent returnee Jean Deysel who has often stared at blindside flank for the Sharks.

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