Another Stormers Bok heads home
The Stormers suffered another cruel blow with the news that another Springbok will join Schalk Burger on a flight across the Indian Ocean.
Five-Test Bok Tiaan Liebenberg (neck injury) and Schalk Burger (quad strain) have both returned to Cape Town.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that lock Mthetheleli Fuzani and flank Sikhumbuzo Notshe will fly to Brisbane – ahead of their Round Seven Super Rugby encounter with the Reds on Saturday.
The latest setbacks come at the end of a month-long tour in which injuries have caused havoc – with players like Jaco Taute (AC Joint), De Kock Steenkamp (groin), Rynhardt Elstadt (shoulder), Manuel Carizza (wrist), Siyabonga Ntubeni (calf) and Pat Cilliers (ribs) all falling foul to the dreaded injury curse.
Veteran Bok loose forward Schalk Burger was forced to withdraw with a torn quad muscle shortly before the team's loss to the Brumbies at the weekend.
Liebenberg suffered a "lower neck impingement" in the encounter in Canberra and will see a specialist upon his arrival in Cape Town.
Lock Ruan Botha is struggling with an ankle injury, following the loss 15-25 loss to the Brumbies and is only a 50-50 chance of facing the Reds.
He injured the same ankle for which he underwent surgery to last year.
Coetzee said they will make a call later in the week.
The latest setback is causing a few concerns, given that both first choice No.2s – Ntubeni and Liebenberg – are out.
Coetzee confirmed that Deon Fourie will move from flank to start at hooker against the Reds this coming weekend.
The coach confirmed that Ntubeni will start to train this week and hopefully will be available to play against the Waratahs (on Saturday, April 5).
Siya Kolisi (AC joint injury) and Taute (also shoulder problems) are both looking good to face the Reds.
Cheslin Kolby will only be available after the Waratahs game.
