Bismarck sunk

It's not only the All Blacks who have injury worries as the Super 14 nears its climax and ahead of the international program starting next month.

South Africa has lost hooker Bismarck du Plessis after he had a neck operation to treat a growth on his next vertebrae last week.

Sharks coach John Plumtree said du Plessis would be out for about three months. He had named him in the starting line-up against the Bulls on Saturday but admitted he had distracted the public from the situation because it would be distraction ahead of a major match.

"It is tough for him and is a major setback, because after his disappointments in the Super 14, he would have wanted to bounce back in the international season. But we are sure he will bounce back in the Currie Cup," he told zeo.co.za.

Springbok captain Victor Matfield said: "It's always tough losing a player like Bismarck because he's been very valuable to us the last few years."

"We're fortunate we have great hookers in this country. John [Smit] played their tonight, Gary Botha had a great game for us and Tiaan Liebenberg [Stormers] is playing really well too," he said.