Shoulder injury rules Fassi out for weeks

Sharks head coach, JP Pietersen, has confirmed that fullback Aphelele Fassi will be out of action for several weeks due to a shoulder injury.

The Springbok sustained the injury during last week’s clash against the Lions and is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks — with the possibility of a longer layoff should surgery be required.

“It is a shoulder injury and he saw the surgeon this week,” Pietersen said at the team announcement press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Pretoria.

“Shoulder injuries are not my field of expertise and I am waiting to see the surgeon to see if the injury requires surgery or rehabilitation. If it is rehab he needs he will be out for a minimum of six weeks, if it is an operation then he could be out for possibly longer. I will have more clarification on that later in the day.”

Junior Springbok, Jaco Williams has been shifted to fullback for Saturday’s encounter against the Bulls.

“Jaco is primarily a fullback so him playing the position will be no problem for him,” said the Sharks coach.

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari