adminCape Town – Fit-again Springbok centre Juan de Jongh has flown over to Australia to bolster the injury-hit Stormers squad.
De Jongh will officially replace injured second row stalwart De Kock Steenkamp (groin), the latter joining Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza, Jean Kleyn and Gerbrandt Grobler as the injured first-choice locks in the Stormers region.
“De Kock, unfortunately, has suffered a recurrence of his groin injury. He flew home from Australia this morning (local time) and will consult a specialist when he gets home,” Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told the Stormers’ official website.
“We still have Jurie van Vuuren here who can cover lock and flank and, thankfully, Michael Rhodes is available for selection again this week (after missing the Chiefs match), so we have locks that can start for us. Juan is available this weekend, having fully recovered from his knee injury, and has already trained with us (today). He is raring to go.”
In other injury news, fullback Jaco Taute will sit out this week with an injury to his AC Joint (on the other shoulder this time), but tighthead prop Frans Malherbe (broken baby toe) will be available for a starting spot this week.
Big wing Sailosi Tagicakibau is set to make his first start for the Stormers against the Brumbies in Canberra this Saturday, with Gio Aplon likely to start in the No 15 jersey in the absence of Taute.
“Jaco, like we’ve done with Siya Kolisi, will be continued to be managed (with his AC Joint),” said Coetzee from Sydney yesterday.- Sport24.
Online Reporter