Veteran fullback Stefan Terblanche will lead the Sharks in the absence of Johann Muller, who will be out for up to two months because of a broken arm.

Terblanche is one of the most popular players in Durban, especially after his performances in last year's Currie Cup. He was one of the title winning Sharks team after his return from overseas.

He further enhanced his reputation with a superb 2009 Super 14 campaign which prompted many pundits to call for his inclusion in the Springbok set-up.That call never came, but now Terblanche will have the honour of leading the region which he has served so well.

The Sharks are in need of a strong character to lead their comeback from a disappointing round one loss to Western Province at Newlands.The Natalians will play on Friday night against a Boland team that got off to a winning start against the Leopards.

Head coach John Plumtree has admitted that Muller will be a big loss to his team, but the focus remains on the next match.

"Johann is very important to the team, not only for his leadership. He has a very good work rate, brings a lot of intensity to our play, and his defence is outstanding.

"But I am not going to talk any more about the players we are missing because of injuries and Springbok call-ups," Plumtree told The Mercury.

"We must deal with reality, front up, and bounce back on Friday night and earn five points.

"To do that we will have to work really hard. The boys know what they need to do. I have spoken about responsibility. The guys are here playing for the Sharks because they are professional rugby players, not because they have nothing else to do,and with that comes responsibility."

Plumtree says that some hard lessons were learnt by his young side on Saturday at in Cape Town.

"Structurally we did not stick to the game plan in our own half which put us under pressure. The players' decision-making has to be more accurate. Our discipline was also questionable.

"The younger players have got to learn quickly that you cannot undo the good work of getting into the opposition half through good play only to give up that yardage by conceding a penalty. And penalties in your own half mean three points against you almost every time," he said.

Plumtree will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Argentinean superstar flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez. The New Zealand-born Sharks mentor will hope that the Stade Francais playmaker will give his team some much needed direction after an erratic performance by the gifted, but inexperienced Guy Cronje on the weekend.

Another player who may be key to the Sharks cause is centre Waylon Murray, who is expected to be ready in the next few weeks after a long term injury layoff.

The Sharks host Boland at the  Absa Stadium in Durban on Friday night. Kick-off 19.10 local time (17.10 GMT)

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