Cape Town - The Free State Cheetahs have been dealt a big blow with the news that star flank Heinrich Brüssow will be out of action for a lengthy period.

The Springbok injured his shoulder in the Cheetahs' 35-20 Currie Cup win over Griquas last Saturday, and according to Volksblad will be out for about six months.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské said his ace flank will soon undergo an operation which will leave him in a race against time to be fit for next year's Super Rugby competition.

The Cheetahs take on the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday and now have serious loose forward problems. Brüssow joins loosies Kabamba Floors (knee), Frans Viljoen (arm), Boom Prinsloo (shoulder) and Juan Smith (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Hendro Scholtz could also miss the Sharks game after receiving a hard knock to the head, while Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagné and Davon Raubenheimer are the only available loose forwards. This could see Francois Uys, who was utilised mainly as a lock recently, shift to flank with the young Carl Wegner coming in at lock.

The Cheetahs are currently fourth on the six-team Currie Cup log with 17 points, two ahead of Griquas, while the Sharks are second on 25 points. The top four teams qualify for the semi-finals with the last-placed team playing promotion-relegation against the winner of the First Division.

Free State's clash against the Sharks kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.