Botha out for Brumbies clash

 

Botha has been ruled out of this weekend's Super Rugby meeting with the Brumbies at Newlands, whilst centre and vice-captain Juan de Jongh is an injury doubt.

 

Botha suffered an ankle ligament injury against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Saturday, as the Stormers went down 17-25.

 

Botha is in a moon boot and could be ruled out from three to six weeks. The team doctor is still to make a call on the length of his lay-off, but he has been ruled out for this week.

 

De Jongh is suffering from a hip pointer injury which saw him leave the field in the 23rd minute, and it is usually a 10-day injury.

 

Utility back Jaco Taute is available but the initial plan is for him to play forty minutes for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup.

 

"Giving him [Taute] 40 minutes in the Vodacom Cup is the initial plan, but with our injuries at present we could slot him into the team against a quality Brumbies outfit," said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee. 

 

"It’s a decision we will still have to make and one we will make before Thursday’s team announcement."

 

Flank Michael Rhodes (hamstring) is on the mend from his injury, but he is still about three weeks away from a return to action.

 

Wing Kobus van Wyk (knee) has started with rehabilitation after coming out of his knee brace, but is still on track for a return against the Lions on June 6.

 

Flank Rynhardt Elstadt (ankle/leg injury – maisonneuve fracture) has started with rehabilitation, but will not be available in Super Rugby this year.

 

The Stormers are up against a wounded Brumbies side after they went down to the Waratahs last weekend. The Australian-conference leaders will want to retain their position at the top of the pool, while the Stormers are looking to bounce back from a shock defeat to the Cheetahs.