Jantjies joins Stormers casualty list
Springbok Elton Jantjies is the latest addition to the Stormers' ever-growing casualty list.
The flyhalf has joined fellow Lions import Jaco Taute on a list of players that won't feature in the must-win encounter when the Stormers host the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed that Jantjies will not be available this week, but unlike Taute – who will have to undergo surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season – Jantjies will be available when the Stormers depart on their overseas tour in about three weeks.
"It is not as serious as first thought," Coetzee said, when asked about Jantjies' injury.
"He could be ready for the first tour match [against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North on April 26]," the coach said, adding that Jantjies has a medial ligament injury.
"It is not torn, it is an old injury which he aggravated."
Taute he tore his cruciate ligaments and also some of the medial ligaments.
Coetzee said Gary van Aswegen, who came on as replacement when Jantjies was injured in the loss to the Cheetahs last Saturday, will start in the No.10 jersey against the Sharks.
"I am very happy with his defence," the coach said, adding: "He gets a full shot at it.
"Every year he started a game before Peter Grant returned and did well for us and then got injured.
"Now he is over all his injuries and I am glad he gets another shot at it [starting for the Stormers]. He has been training with us for three weeks now and hopefully he can use this opportunity."
Coetzee said players like Andries Bekker, Louis Schreuder and Jean de Villiers will feature against the Sharks, but will be "managed" during the week in order to help them fully recover from the bruises they suffered against the Cheetahs.
Flank Siya Kolisi, who has been struggling with an ankle strain, took full part in training on Monday.
Coetzee said that every injury now is critical.
"If you already have 11 players out, you then get numbers 12 and 13, then it starts getting tough," the coach said.
"However, our focus will always be on the players that are available. That has always been our focus and we can still field a formidable team this weekend.
"The focus is on them and they must get the job done."
