The Sharks have lost Springbok Hooker Bismarck du Plessis for their clash against the Blues and possibly the Chiefs in Durban next week.

Reports have surfaced that Du Plessis is already on his way home to Durban for an unspecified period on the sidelines.

Ironically the Sharks announced earlier this week that Du Plessis was in line to face the Blues this weekend but it now seems the opposite is the case.

The Daily News reports that the quadricep injury that led to Du Plessis being named on the bench for the match against the Hurricanes last week has flared up and he has therefore been ruled out.

The injury means that Craig Burden will start his second Super Rugby match at hooker.

Sharks XV's Kyle Cooper is rerported to be on his way to Auckland as cover.