Sharks returnee Craig Burden is set to be sidelined for the next eight to 10 weeks after suffering a bicep injury, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

After several years plying his trade in France, Burden recently returned to the Sharks, where he has found a sudden opportunity to revive his career with the Durban-based side.

However, after being named on the bench for last weekend’s clash against the Rebels, he then was forced to pull out late in the week due to a hamstring strain.

Despite recovering in time to be named in the match-23 for this Saturday’s encounter against the Vodacom Bulls, misfortune has struck again after he suffered a bicep injury at training on Thursday.

The 33-year-old has had to undergo surgery, and SARugbymag.co.za has learned that he will be out of action for at least the next two months.

It means that Burden, at best, could come back into contention for the Sharks’ final four pool games, but he will be forced to miss the tour to Australasia, which will see the Durbanites first face the Waratahs on 27 April.

It’s another setback for Burden and the Sharks, who remain without the services of veteran hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle. He is facing a doping allegation at a time when he has also been recovering from injury.

For this Saturday’s encounter at Kings Park, young Kerron van Vuuren will now come on to the bench to provide back-up to Akker van der Merwe.

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Curwin Bosch.

Photo: Steve Haag