Sharks 'cautious' with Lambie

The Sharks' 32-35 loss to the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth at the weekend were accompanied by a host of additional problems for coach Robert Du Preez's backline. 

Du Preez was forced to shuffle his backline for the encounter with the Sunwolves - with Lambie, Rhyno Smith and Jeremy Ward all missing from the 25-man squad.

Lambie, who made his first start in more than two months after he suffered a fractured vertebra in March, was forced to leave the field on the half-hour mark - after he collided with teammate Rhyno Smith.

With the 26-year-old's long struggle with injuries, the Sharks medical team are being cautious and have ruled him unfit to travel with the team.

Ward has picked up a broken nose and will undergo surgery.

The centre is s expected to be out for approximately six weeks.

Fullback Smith suffered a pectoral muscle tear and saw a specialist on Monday to determine the treatment plan.

In the forwards, Coenie Oosthuizen will be rested this week in line with the Springbok rest protocol.

Sharks:

Forwards: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Daniel du Preez, Etienne Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Jacques Vermeulen, Jean-Luc du Preez, John-Hubert Meyer, Juan Schoeman, Lourens Adriaanse, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Stephan Lewies, Tendai Mtawarira, Lubabalo Mtembu, Thomas du Toit.

Backs: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cobus Reinach, Garth April, Johan Deysel, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Lwazi Mvovo, Michael Claassens, Sibusiso Sithole, Sibusiso Nkosi.