Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out for nine months after sustaining a serious knee injury on Saturday.

The flanker left the field on the half-hour mark of the Sharks' match against the Lions at Kings Park after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Coetzee has been replaced in the touring group by Jean Deysel, who has yet to feature for the Sharks this season, but is said to have impressed in training.

The Sharks will play the Blues in Auckland this Saturday before taking on the Highlanders and Chiefs on their tour to New Zealand.

Sharks touring squad:

Forwards – Tendai Mtawarira, Dale Chadwick, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Thomas du Toit, Franco Marais, Chiliboy Ralapelle, Kyle Cooper, Etienne Oosthuizen, Stephan Lewies, Hyron Andrews, Jean-Luc du Preez, Daniel du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel.

Backs – Cobus Reinach, Michael Claassens, Joe Pietersen, Garth April, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane, André Esterhuizen, Paul Jordaan, Willie le Roux, S’bura Sithole.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images