Notshe's Bok dream shattered

INJURY UPDATE: Sharks No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe's dream of a Springbok comeback has been shattered.

Notshe left the field at the end of the first half in the Durban franchise's 9-43 loss to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.

The Sharks confirmed on Tuesday that scans revealed the 27-year-old has ruptured his patella tendon.

"He has undergone surgery and will be out for a few months," the Sharks statement read.

Notshe played six Tests in 2018, but missed the cit for the 2019 World Cup.

His move from the Stormers to the Sharks revived his career and saw him earn a call-up to the Boks' strategic alignment camps this year.

However, the surgery will now mean he will not be back on the field before the British and Irish Lions tour in July and August.

He will be left with a mountain to climb to recover before the Rugby Championships and year-end tour.

(Article continues below the picture ...)

* Meanwhile the Sharks revealed that flank Dylan Richardson is still recovering from an ankle injury and is expected to return to play in approximately three weeks.

Flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain is currently undergoing concussion protocols and not available.

Lock Emile van Heerden (ankle), along with props Hanru Jacobs (neck) and John-Hubert Meyer (back) are being conservatively managed in their rehabilitation from injuries.

The silver lining around the dark injury cloud is the return of World Cup-winning Bok Makazole Mapimpi.

The 30-year-old wing, the scorer of South Africa's first-ever try in a World Cup Final, has just completed a stint with the Japan team the Red Hurricanes.

Mapimpi started training with the team in Durban and could be in the running for selection for the team to face the Stormers in a Rainbow Cup Round Four match at Kings Park on Saturday.