The Stormers and Bulls have been left with injury worries following their match last weekend.
The Stormers came out on top 24-23 in a pulsating clash at Newlands however, they could pay the price when they head to Argentina to face the Jaguares this Saturday.
Versatile forward, Pieter-Steph du Toit went off in the second half of the game with a shoulder injury. It had been feared that he could be missing for an extended period of time but according to Afrikaans publication Netwerk24, he should be back for their next home game against the Crusaders on May 18th.
In other bad news loose forward Ernst van Rhyn’s elbow injury looks set to leave him side-lined for up to six weeks.
The good news for the Cape Town based side is that they welcome back loose forwards Jaco Coetzee and Sikhumbuzo Notshe from injuries. While they have also given flanker Siya Kolisi and prop Frans Malherbe a rest from the Argentinian trip.
Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck is positive that the players available for this weekend’s clash will be able to get a result and give their all.
“We want to keep building on our recent performances and this is a great opportunity to do so away from home. We have a bye after this game before we are back at home, so we will be going flat-out this weekend in Buenos Aires,” he said in a press statement.
On the other side of things Bulls and South African centre, Jesse Kriel, requires surgery on an ankle ligament injury he sustained during his team’s loss. This could leave him out for about two months.
“He has torn a ligament in his ankle and will undergo surgery later this week. He will be on the sideline for a period of six to eight weeks,” Bulls team doctor Herman Rossouw said when discussing the injury.
To make matters worse wingers Divan Rossouw and Jade Stighling have been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against the Waratahs. Although, there is a sliver-lining as centre Burger Odendaal will be available for selection after recovering from an eye injury as the Bulls look to knock the Sharks off top-spot in the South African conference.
Check out the highlights of the Stormers dramatic 24-23 win over the Bulls below
