Cape Town - The Cheetahs have received further setbacks with the news that flank Uzair Cassiem and prop Ox Nche will be sidelined with knee injuries.
The duo were injured in last weekend’s 34-28 Super Rugby win over the Bulls in Bloemfontein.
Cheetahs coach Franco Smith confirmed to Netwerk24 that Cassiem has a Grade 2 ligament tear which will keep him sidelined for up to a month.
Nche has a Grade 1 tear and will be out for about 10 days.
This comes after Sport24 reported on Monday that lock Reniel Hugo - who also injured his knee against the Bulls - will be out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season. His knee injury is more severe.
Midfielders Clinton Swart (rib) and Nico Lee (shoulder) were also injured in the game against the Bulls and their participation for Saturday’s match against the Sunwolves will be decided later this week.
Despite the injuries, the Cheetahs will remain confident of beating the struggling Sunwolves at home.
The Japanese team started their season with an 83-17 loss to the Hurricanes, before losing 37-23 to the Kings in Singapore at the weekend.
Cheetahs coach Franco Smith is confident they will overcome their injury woes.
"We knew from the start that injuries would be a part of it so we're going to just fight through it," he said.
Saturday's Cheetahs-Sunwolves clash is scheduled for 17:15.