Coach JP Pietersen is sweating on the fitness of one of the Sharks’ backline players following Friday’s 33-31 win against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Wing Yaw Penxe was forced off with a back injury during the pre-season thriller, the Sharks’ final warm-up before their Vodacom URC campaign gets under way against the Ospreys at Kings Park on 26 September.
“Hopefully it’s not too serious,” Pietersen said as quoted by IOL.
There was better news regarding centres Jurenzo Julius and Murray Koster, who missed the match after picking up minor injuries in the Sharks’ 66-0 victory against the SWD Eagles in George last week.
“Jurenzo’s got a bit of an ankle niggle; it’s not too serious. Him and Murray Koster, hopefully they can train next week,” Pietersen said.
Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse got 40 minutes under his belt at Ellis Park, while lock Jason Jenkins also returned to action.
REPORT: Sharks edge Lions at Ellis Park
Pietersen was particularly encouraged by the resilience of his young players after the Lions repeatedly put them under pressure.
“Normally teams go away when that happens,” he said. “And normally we, as the Sharks, fall away.
“And then the Lions bring a whole new 15 players on. We always struggle when we see things like that.
“To see the young kids stay in the fight until the end, and the way they handled themselves and found a way to get back into the game, was beautiful.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Injury mars Sharks win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach JP Pietersen is sweating on the fitness of one of the Sharks’ backline players following Friday’s 33-31 win against the Lions at Ellis Park.
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