DHL Stormers injury report – 02/03/15
The are new injury concerns, however, in the shape of Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha and Jurie van Vuuren, following Saturday’s hard-fought 22-19 Vodacom Super Rugby win over the Lions in Johannesburg.
In better news, experienced flanker Schalk Burger is expected back from Japan on Tuesday.
According to DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, Burger is fresh, after featuring off the bench of late for his Japanese club, but a full call on his participation will be made once the DHL Stormers medical staff have had a look at him after he arrives at the HPC (tomorrow).
There was no team training today, after 13 DHL Stormers players stayed behind for a planned Springbok training camp in Johannesburg.
The full DHL Stormers injury report (02/03/15):
– Locks Jean Kleyn (hamstring) and Eben Etzebeth (chest) are both back in the selection mix after coming through training last week.
– Flank Mike Rhodes took a big blow to his knee against the Lions. It could be bone bruising, or perhaps more, but he will undergo a scan when he rejoins the team. An update on his injury will be given at Thursday’s team announcement.
– Lock Ruan Botha took a knock to his head against the Lions and will undergo concussion testing.
– Lock Jurie van Vuuren suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday (and left the field in the 18th minute). He will be out of action for at least 21 days and possibly more.
– Wing Kobus van Wyk will be assessed later this week after missing the first three matches of the season with a calf-muscle injury.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH ALLISTER COETZEE:
On not training today (Monday, March 2):
“As the tournament progresses, Mondays become your resting/recovery days and you’re able to do some technical work. Today is not a bad thing at all, so we’re not too upset (at) not having trained (today).”
On squad depth and team selection:
“Our focus is keep building capacity, for instance a guy like Bongi Mbonambi did well when he started in Scarra Ntubeni’s place against the Lions. You don’t want to start well and then slip away at the end due to your squad capacity not being good enough.”
On facing the Sharks at DHL Newlands on Saturday (kick-off 19h10):
“We’re not reading anything into the Sharks’ loss to the Bulls, they’re a powerful side and we need to make a lot of improvements if we are to keep up our good record at home.
“The guys showed great character last week, I was very pleased with the players’ effort – despite the mistakes they made. The good thing, however, is that these mistakes can be fixed.”
