Ethan Hooker looks set to miss the rest of the Sharks’ season and could miss a part of the Springboks’ Test campaign after suffering an injury at the weekend.
The wing, who can also play at centre, looked in some discomfort after touching down at the end of the first half of the Durban outfit’s 21-17 defeat to the Ospreys.
After the act of scoring, Hooker was dived upon by Ospreys speedster Luke Morgan, a dogshot which was slammed on social media and by visiting head coach JP Pietersen.
The Springboks star stood up following that try and clutched his shoulder with Pietersen confirming that the 23-year-old has suffered a dislocation.
‘Rules are there to protect players’
“Ethan’s injury was a massive blow for us,” Pietersen said. “After scoring a try, the rules say you are not supposed to dive on a player and rules are there to protect players and sadly that did not happen.
“He dislocated his shoulder. He is a massive presence for us and to lose him after the first half was very disappointing and frustrating.”
Hooker’s try reduced the arrears to 14-12 at the break but, without the Springbok on the field in the second period, the Sharks succumbed to another United Rugby Championship loss.
There is one big positive, however, and that was the performance of full-back Zekhethelo Siyaya on debut, who shone despite being just 18.
“Siyaya at full-back on debut was very impressive. He is just a kid, but did not look like a kid out there,” Pietersen said.
“Like I said before the game, mature head and a bright future ahead of him in the black and white jersey.
“He plays with freedom and exuberance, and that is good to see.”
Following the defeat at Brewery Field, the Sharks’ season is effectively over with them 11 points behind the eighth place Bulls with three matches remaining.
They have improved under Pietersen but there are still issues which need correcting heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
Profligate Sharks
“We got a lot of territory and possession and played some great rugby, which was positive to see and showed that we can be good when we stick to the plan,” the head coach added.
“In saying that, we were not clinical or ruthless enough when opportunities came, and we created enough opportunities when we got into their 22.
“There seemed to be a lack of concentration, by losing the ball and letting Ospreys off the hook, with not converting opportunities into points.
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“If you don’t take opportunities, you put pressure on yourselves to get the next play in, and the more pressure you put on yourselves, this resulted in the unforced errors we saw.
“We are very disappointed to not have come away with the result.”