Cape Town - Sharks flyhalf Butch James will miss their Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next weekend following a procedure on his knee.

However, the injury does not seem serious with the Springbok expected to be back for their second round match against the Stormers in Durban on March 2.

“Butch had a scope done on his knee two weeks ago to remove loose bodies,” Sharks coach John Plumtree told the Sharks website.

“It’s not serious and he is expected to be ready in a fortnight.”

The Sharks defeated the Leopards 71-8 in their first pre-season game last week and tackle the Pumas in Nelspruit this Friday.

Assistant coach Grant Bashford expects the Pumas to pose a bigger challenge.

“The Leopards had key players that weren’t available to them, I believe many of their players were involved in the Varsity Cup tournament so they were depleted from a personnel perspective, but the Pumas away should be a different kettle of fish, they have a tough pack and hopefully it will be a harder hit-out," said Bashford.

The Sharks' clash against the Cheetahs is on Saturday, February 23 (17:05 kick-off).

Teams:

Pumas:

TBA

Sharks:

15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Francois Steyn (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Francois Kleinhans, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Meyer Bosman, 23 Odwa Ndungane, 24 Riaan Viljoen.