Cape Town - The Sharks are optimistic that concussed prop Jannie du Plessis will be cleared to play in the Currie Cup final against Western Province in Durban on Saturday.

Du Plessis left the field in the first half of their semi-final against the Blue Bulls last week after he knocked heads with team-mate Anton Bresler.

The Springbok will now be evaluated according to the South African Rugby Union's Boksmart-protocol to determine his readiness for the game.

But Sharks team doctor, Ewoudt van der Linde, is confident that Du Plessis will be able to take the field on Saturday.

"Jannie won't be involved in any contact sessions before Thursday when we'll be able to make a final decision on his availability. We are currently busy with a clinical evaluation of his condition on the computer and everything looks positive. He's not experiencing headaches anymore and his balance is also good. I believe he'll be ready to play," he told the Beeld website.

A further boost for the Durbanites will be the return to training of Odwa Ndungane (ankle) en Jacques Botes (back spasm) on Tuesday.

The final at Kings Park kicks off at 17:00.