Cape Town - Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis is yet to return to training with the Sharks following knee surgery.
According to the Beeld website, Du Plessis is busy with his rehabilitation after he damaged his knee ligaments playing for the Springboks against Argentina in August last year.
It appears that the 28-year-old's the injury has not healed as well as initially predicted.
Sharks commercial manager, Rudolf Straeuli, confirmed that Du Plessis will not be ready for the start of the Super Rugby competition.
“Bismarck will be ready to take part in the Super-season, but it won't be in the first part," said Straeuli.
Springbok centre Frans Steyn - who also missed the latter part of the 2012 season - is recovering well though, and according to Straeuli will be ready for their first Super Rugby outing against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on February 23.
Meanwhile, Alan Kourie has been appointed as the Sharks' new team doctor, replacing Ewoudt van der Linde.
Kourie is the nephew of former Transvaal and South African cricketer, Alan Kourie.
According to the Beeld website, Du Plessis is busy with his rehabilitation after he damaged his knee ligaments playing for the Springboks against Argentina in August last year.
It appears that the 28-year-old's the injury has not healed as well as initially predicted.
Sharks commercial manager, Rudolf Straeuli, confirmed that Du Plessis will not be ready for the start of the Super Rugby competition.
“Bismarck will be ready to take part in the Super-season, but it won't be in the first part," said Straeuli.
Springbok centre Frans Steyn - who also missed the latter part of the 2012 season - is recovering well though, and according to Straeuli will be ready for their first Super Rugby outing against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on February 23.
Meanwhile, Alan Kourie has been appointed as the Sharks' new team doctor, replacing Ewoudt van der Linde.
Kourie is the nephew of former Transvaal and South African cricketer, Alan Kourie.