Another Stormers prop breaks down
INJURY UPDATE: There was mixed news for the Stormers, as they started preparations for their encounter with the Jaguares at Newlands on Friday.
Coach Robbie Fleck confirmed that Springbok loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff has been cleared to return to the playing field.
The 27-year-old, capped 36 times by his country, missed the opening four rounds of the competition due to a hamstring injury.
However, he is contention for Friday’s Newlands outing.
On the flip side is the news that the Bok’s back-up, Alister Vermaak, is set to be sidelined for several weeks.
Vermaak, who stood in for Kitshoff while the latter was recovering from his pre-season injury, is struggling with a neck injury.
“It doesn’t look like Ali will pass fit for Friday and is also unlikely [to be fit] for the [Australasian] tour,” said Fleck.
“It is a blow for us. Ali has been really good for us so far this year.”
The other setback is Bok loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who is set to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a shoulder injury.
Juarno Augustus and Jaco Coetzee are the back-up players at No.8.
The Stormers start their tour against the Hurricanes in Wellington (on March 23), before heading to Auckland to face the Blues (March 30), then hop across the Tasman Sea to face the Reds (April 5) and Rebels (April 12).
