Rynhardt Elstadt
Stormers flank Rynhardt Elstadt has officially been ruled out of action for at least 4 months – one of several players that will miss the trip to Johannesburg for an encounter with the on Saturday.
The loose forward suffered a leg fracture and further damage to his ankle in the win over the Blues at the weekend.
Elstadt left the field in the 37th minute, after falling awkwardly.
His injury – officially described as a maisonneuve fracture – will see him sidelined for at least 4 months.
Prop Frans Malherbe will be considered for selection this week, after his recovery from a long-term ankle / leg injury, which is actually similar to Elstadt’s injury.
Bok lock Eben Etzebeth (chest) is looking good and training well, but he is still not 100% fit and will, thus, not be risked this week.
Jean Kleyn (hamstring) is not available this week either, after dropping out of the selection equation late last week.
Fellow second row forward Manuel Carizza will have another check-up later this week to see if he is ready for a return to action from a shoulder injury, which he suffered during pre-season action.
Wing Kobus van Wyk (calf muscle) is not ready for selection as yet, after also picking up an injury during his team’s pre-season programme.
Centre / fullback Jaco Taute (knee) is on track to make his return against the Sharks (7 March).
If not for that match, he should be available for the following week against the Chiefs.
(rugby365)
Schalk Burger
The Stormers will welcome the return of Schalk Burger into their squad next week following the Super Rugby season-ending injury to Rynhardt Elstadt in their defeat of the Blues at Newlands on Saturday.
Burger has been plying his trade in Japan after the culmination of the 2014 Super Rugby season while making a return to the Springbok setup in the process.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee foresees a rejuvenated Burger to lead his pack should the need arise, as special attention will be given to contracted Springboks in the lead up to the World Cup later this year.
“Because of the foreign-player restrictions for the clubs in Japan, Schalk hasn’t played too often so he’ll be in good shape by the time he joins us.
“He’ll also be in a captaincy role because we’ll have to rest Duane Vermeulen in terms of SARU’s player requirements,” said Coetzee.
Coetzee said a rather pleasing aspect of last weekend’s match was the team’s discipline.
One area that Stormers will be focusing on this week is the lineout.
“There are lineout issues we need to sort out.
“The Blues were street-wise so things did not pan out like we planned.
“Our execution let us down,” said Coetzee.
After 2 Rounds, the Stormers are heading the South African Conference table as well as the overall standings.
(Sport24)