Etzebeth lay-off extended
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will not play any Super Rugby for the Stormers this year after suffering a new injury setback with a broken toe.
The destructive lock has been out of action the whole year so far after suffering an ankle injury on the Springboks' year-end tour of Europe last year.
The broken toe means that his return has been delayed by a further two to three weeeks, which rules him out of the Stormers' remaining two matches in the competition.
The Cape outfit are out of the running for a place in the play-offs which means that Etzebeth's first game back could be for the Boks against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on August 16.
There was more bad news for the Stormers on Monday when coach Allister Coetzee reported that props Brok Harris, Ollie Kebble, Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe all had injuries.
"There are so many injuries and I don't know where to start but Brok has had a knee operation which is likely to see him back only late in August," Coetzee said.
"Ollie has an ankle's injury and he too will be back late in August.
"Steven has been ruled for 2014 with knee and ankle problems. Frans is still showing symptoms of concussion and is undergoing tests but he won't be back for the rest of the Super Rugby season."
The Stormers' midfield reserves are thin this week – with centres Jean de Villiers and Damian de Allende both still on the injury list and were likely to return in about three weeks time.
"Juan [De Jongh] started running last week and by the way he trained today [Monday] he looks like he's ready to play.
"The other centre options are Peter Grant, Kobus van Wyk and Sailosi Tagicakibau, who has played at centre for London Irish."
However, there was some good injury news for the Stormers with forwards Deon Fourie and Tiaan Liebenberg and backs Louis Schreuder, Juan de Jongh, Kobus van Wyk and Gio Aplon all fit to be considered for selection for Saturday's home clash against the Bulls.
Fourie has recovered from a concussion concern, whilst Liebenberg is finally available again after battling with a neck injury.
Schreuder's thumb, Van Wyks' wrist and Aplon's elbow have all healed, whilst De Jongh has recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
"We had a complete break for two weeks so that the players should freshen up mentally and physically and I could see at training today [Monday] that the intensity levels were high."
Two players who seemed to benefited particularly well from lengthy injury lay-offs were flankers Schalk Burger and Siya Kolisi, both members of the current Springbok squad.
"Schalk may have played for 80 minutes in the last Test but he and Siya trained with great intensity after their injury lay-offs. We are now looking for the squad to get back to the fitness levels they were before the break so that we can end the season on a high note.
"It is so important to finish the Super Rugby season well so that we can take the momentum into the Currie Cup season."
Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni would be out for the rest of the Super Rugby season with a foot injury.
