Ntubeni latest Stormers casualty
The Stormers suffered another high-profile injury-blow, with hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni picking up a foot injury during his teams' demoralising 12-28 defeat at the hands of the Bulls at the weekend.
Ntubeni fractured a metatarsal in his left foot, as the Stormers dropped to last place on the table in the wake of their loss at Loftus Versfeld.
The Springbok tourist – who was out of action for a few weeks with a calf-muscle injury earlier in the tournament – is now set for a minimum lay-off of at least eight weeks.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed the injury.
"Skarra [Ntubeni] will see a specialist later in the week, but, at this stage, he will be out for at least eight weeks."
Experienced prop Brok Harris suffered a cut eye-lid (left eye) against the Bulls and is in doubt for next Saturday's home clash against the Force, but Coetzee is hopeful that front row forwards Oliver Kebble and Frans Malherbe (both concussion) will come back into the selection equation this week.
Wing Kobus van Wyk could also perhaps return this week, despite earlier worries about the extent of his wrist injury, whilst it is also hoped that flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis can be considered for selection after breaking his nose against the Lions last month.
"Hopefully both of the props, or – at worst – at least one of Oliver or Frans will be back for the Force game," said Coetzee.
"Schalk Burger took a knock to his lower back, but we will know more about those injuries – including Kobus and Demetri – tomorrow [Monday].
"Skarra being out, the concern over Brok and Schalk's knock are the only concerns from the Bulls match, but our injury list remains a long one, having gone to Loftus Versfeld – a tough place to win – without 19 injured players this past weekend.
"There was plenty intent out there on Saturday, especially in the first 20 minutes, and there's a lot to work with [based on that].
"I know it's not what people want to hear, but we're busy with a process and our young players, many of whom were on debut [on Saturday], will continue to develop and learn," added Coetzee.
"It is not an excuse, it is the reality, we lost eight starters last week and we are currently sitting with 19 injured players and two bring a young side to Loftus that scored two brilliant tries at the beginning of the game and slogged it out," he said.
"In the end we lost it but I am really chuffed by the effort and the intent shown with the ball in hand.
"If you allow the bulls to get penalty after penalty, they build momentum and that is where the squeeze comes in."
The Stormers squad returned from Pretoria on Sunday and the players will not train on Monday.
The team, to take on the Force, will be announced on Wednesday.