Kings lose their Bok prop
The Eastern Province Kings will be without the services of their Springbok prop CJ van der Linde when they head to Pretoria this week.
It was confirmed on Monday that Van der Linde had sustained a calf strain and would not be available for selection this week, as the Kings prepare to the on the Blue Bulls in a basement battle at Loftus Versfeld.
Even though the injury is not as serious as first thought – when it was suggested he had torn his calf muscle – the burly front row forward will be going for scans to determine the exact extent of the injury and duration of his absence from the playing field.
Apart from the loss of one of their most senior players, the Kings came through the 19-60 loss to the Golden Lions at the weekend relatively unscathed.
Ntabeni Dukisa will also not be up for selection this week, due to a knee injury that he sustained during the match against the Lions.
Concerns were raised about a bout of flu that was doing the rounds in the camp – with Dukisa and Aidon Davis both currently being treated.
Captain Luke Watson is recovering from the flu that saw him miss the game at the weekend and is expected to return to training on Tuesday.
Flyhalf Gary van Aswegen was also rested during Monday's training session, after he a knock to the knee at the weekend.
However, the Kings medical team said that it was just swelling and the rest was precautionary.
Charl du Plessis, who went out with a rib injury during the friendly against the Cheetahs on August 1, would still be unavailable for selection for another two weeks.
Paul Perez, who sustained a knee injury during training before the Cheetahs friendly, has undergone knee surgery and will be out for at least another six weeks.
On the positive side, Simon Kerrod has returned, while Tim Agaba is also back, although not cleared for full contact yet.
Kevin Luiters, who was withdrawn from the team last week after sustaining a cut to his right cheekbone during a training session, which required five stitches, has also been cleared for selection.
