Sharks centre Tim Whitehead has been ruled out of Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Chiefs due to injury, the franchise confirmed on Monday.
The midfielder sustained a broken hand during the Durban side's 19-26 semi-final victory over the Stormers on Saturday and did not travel with the rest with his teammates to Sydney on Sunday.
No replacement would be named, according to the Sharks, with the squad now cut down to 23 players.
The Durban team have based themselves at Coogee Beach in Sydney for their initial preparations and will make their way across to Hamilton, New Zealand, on Thursday.
Whitehead Tweeted via his Twitter account that he wished he could be with his Sharks team mates.
"@louisludik @PaulJordaan12 glad to hear you boys are all safe in Sydney! Would do anything to be there with you guys! #bringithome" he said on Twitter.
While the Sharks have lost Whitehead they were boosted by the return to fitness of Springbok back Patrick Lambie and junior Bok Paul Jordaan who were included in the touring squad on Sunday with both capable of playing at centre.
