From bad to worse for the Sharks as they lose another prop

The Durban franchise played like world-beaters in the opening half, scoring two well-worked tries and boasting staunch defence to take an 18-3 lead down the tunnel.

As good as the Lions were in the second stanza, the Sharks slumped and the visitors pounced, scoring 20 unanswered points to complete a thrilling comeback. The narrow loss comes off the Sharks' one-point loss to former URC champions Stormers last week.

Speaking to Rugby365, a disappointed Plumtree revealed that the team is another player down in the front row department.

"Hanro Jacobs appears to have damaged his AC [shoulder] joint," he confirmed.

"I'm not sure what that looks like. It is an issue, having lost another prop.

"We don't seem to get one-weekers. We seem to be getting five or six-weekers. Hopefully, he [Jacobs] will recover quickly."

The Sharks are having to dig deep in the forwards, as Springbok and World Cup-winning dup Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi are several weeks away from returning, while veteran prop Coenie Oosthuizen also missed Saturday's clash with an undisclosed injury.

In addition, Dylan Richardson, Reniel Hugo, Le Roux Roets and Vincent Tshituka were unavailable for selection this past week.

The Sharks now turn their attention to the Challenge Cup, where they host French club Oyonnax on Saturday.

READ MORE: This stat makes Kurt-Lee Arendse one of the most elusive in world rugby