De Jongh answers Stormers SOS
Fit-again Springbok centre Juan de Jongh has flown to Australia to bolster the injury-hit Stormers squad.
De Jongh will officially replace injured second row stalwart De Kock Steenkamp (groin) – the latter joining Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, Manuel Carizza, Jean Kleyn and Gerbrandt Grobler as the injured first-choice locks in the Stormers region.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed that De Kock has suffered a recurrence of his groin injury.
"He flew home from Australia this [Monday] morning [local time] and will consult a specialist when he gets home," Coetzee said.
"We still have Jurie van Vuuren here who can cover lock and flank and, thankfully, Michael Rhodes is available for selection again this week [after missing the loss to the Chiefs].
"Juan is available this weekend, having fully recovered from his knee injury, and has already trained with us [on Monday] and he is raring to go."
In other injury news, fullback Jaco Taute will sit out this week with an injury to his AC Joint (on the other shoulder this time), whilst tighthead prop Frans Malherbe (broken baby toe) will be available for a starting spot this week.
Captain Jean de Villiers (shoulder) and lock Ruan Botha (knee) suffered minor knocks against the Chiefs last Friday, but both are fine and will be available for selection against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Sailosi Tagicakibau is set to make his first start for the Stormers this weekend in the absence of Taute, with Gio Aplon likely to start in the No.15 jersey.
