The Sharks were dealt a blow to their plunging Super 12 rugby hopes when it was confirmed that injured halfback Craig Davidson has been ruled out for the rest of the competition.
Davidson suffered a shoulder tear in the first half of the match against the Hurricanes in Durban last weekend.
He visited a specialist, who confirmed the worst for a player who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
Davidson missed most of the last Currie Cup season with concussion, and he was also ruled out with injury for lengthy periods during both the 2002 and 2003.
There are also concerns over the fitness of four other Sharks players ahead of their fourth round match against the Highlanders in Durban on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Lock Albert van den Berg is confirmed out after sustaining a grade two ankle ligament strain.
He will miss 3-4 weeks of the competition. The other three players who underwent scans include prop Brendon Botha (calf), fullback Brent Russell (hip) and lock Johan van Zyl (calf).
The good news for the Sharks was that locks AJ Venter and Johann Muller are available this weekend after overcoming injury.
NZPA