The two players haven’t played enough games for the sharks during the league phase of the competition and this rules them of the quarter-final clash in Wellington.

The Springbok flyhalf, Pat Lambie as well as the junior Bok, Dan du Preez, are not fit will also not be considered for the trip across the Indian Ocean.

The teams coach, Gary Gold, explained that Lambie's injury has been a headache for the side.

“The situation is two-fold, see it as two completely different things,” said Gold.

“The first thing is about Patrick's injury and his return to play and the protocol surrounding that. 

“Patrick has to be symptom freeto start his exercise, and then he gets exercise-induced symptoms or he'ssymptom-free, and from there you can clear him. That hasn't happened yet.

“To beproactive, hoping that he was going to be symptom-free and that we could startthe process, I had to make an application for dispensation last week which wasturned down because we've got cover in the squad and SANZAAR turned us down.

“Everysingle day it changes and then we have to do a reassessment and then we have tomake a decision. 

“However, the problem is that we're now five or six weeks down the track so now Patrick's done no exercise so now we've got a third complication in that he has done no training as well.”

The good news for the side is that Du Preez’s twin brother, Jean-Luc, and Jean Deysel are fit and are available for selection.

Gold says it’s going to be tough to head over to New Zealand, but added that they are excited nonetheless.

The Sharks will also take some confidence out of beating last year’s losing finalists earlier this year in Durban.

Saturday morning’s quarter-final between the Hurricanes and the Sharks at the Westpac Stadium kicks of 9:35.

Morgan Piek OFM News