Durban - The Sharks will be without the services of loose forward Willem Alberts for the next four weeks as the loose forward undergoes surgery for an injured shoulder.

According to the Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, Alberts will undergo the small surgical procedure on Tuesday.

Alberts has not played this season due to undergoing rehabilitation for the shoulder injury, but it was initially believed he would recover in time for the start of the Super Rugby season.

The Sharks are already without captain Keegan Daniel and centre Tim Whitehead, who were injured in the Sharks’ warm-up match against the Leopards.

The Sharks start their Super Rugby campaign against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday (17:05), after which they will face the Stormers, Kings and Brumbies. If all goes according to plan, Alberts could return to face the Rebels in Round 6.