Lengthy injury lay-offs for Springboks
INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have been hit hard by injuries ahead of their final two regular season matches against the Sunwolves and Sharks.
On Thursday, Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck confirmed that Damian Willemse [knee] Eben Etzebeth [hand] and Sikhumbuzo Notshe [ankle] will all play no further part in this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
Those players are also in danger of missing the start of this year’s Rugby Championship which kicks off on July 20.
“Damian probably needs an operation and he could be out for up to a month,” said Fleck. “He should be fine [for Springbok selection] but he is getting a second opinion. He is certainly not available for the rest of our campaign.”
Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth will be out of action for six weeks with a hand injury.
Notshe, who injured his ankle last weekend, was seen walking with crutches and will be out of action for between four and six weeks.
Springboks Siyamthanda Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit are the other big names already on the long-term injury list.
The good news for the Stormers is that Scarra Ntubeni, Damian de Allende (rest week), Ruhan Nel and SP Marais are all expected to be available for selection for the match against the Sharks.
