Flank Jean-Luc du Preez has been ruled out of the Sharks' match against the Bulls at Loftus on Friday.

Du Preez sustained a foot injury in the game against the Stormers at Newlands last weekend, which will keep him sidelined for a week. He is expected to be fit and available for the Sharks' game against the Crusaders next weekend at Kings Park. 

In other injury-related news, team Dr. Alan Kourie confirmed lock Ruan Botha will return to action at the beginning of May, while flyhalf Pat Lambie and loose forward Francois Kleinhans will be back in mid-May.

Meanwhile, versatile forward Jacques Potgieter's operation was successful and he is on track to return in six weeks. Tera Mtembu, however, faces an uncertain lay-off period after scans revealed bone bruising in his left knee.

Photo: Anesh Debiky/AFP