The Sharks have been dealt a double injury blow with news that Springboks pair Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch are out of action with knee injuries.
John Plumtree's side host Connacht on Saturday in round five of the BKT United Rugby Championship in Durban (3pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
Hooker Mbonambi (below) suffered a knee injury at the start of the World Cup final against New Zealand, while prop Koch had picked up a knee injury in the warm-up prior to South Africa's pool game against Romania.
"Vincent is out, he will be out for about three months, and Bongi is out for longer than that, possibly for the rest of the season," said Plumtree, whose side have lost all four games on their early European tour this season.
The Sharks have not won any of their last eight meetings against Irish teams.
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Watch Sharks v Connacht in the URC on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
