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Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar is hoping to return to the field before the end of the year, while Stormers wing Sergeal Petersen could be out for a while.
Pienaar was substituted in the 15th minute of the Cheetahs’ victory over the Vodacom Bulls last Friday after he was tackled by Marco van Staden and it appeared that he had injured his knee.
He was replaced at scrum half by Tian Meyer, while Junior Pokomela took the captain’s armband and will continue as captain of the Cheetahs while Pienaar is out.
Pienaar’s season was feared to be over there, especially after he was seen on the bench on crutches, and the likelihood that his ACL had been torn ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
However, the 36-year-old said Red24 that his doctor had confirmed that he had torn the medial cruciate ligament, a less serious injury with a much better recovery period.
‘I saw the doctor on Sunday and it was the medial cruciate ligament, as expected. It’s not too serious, but it’s still not good news, ” Pienaar said.
‘There is still a chance that he may return before this next batch of matches. [in Super Rugby Unlocked], hopefully before the end of the year or in the new year.
“It’s not the end of the world, it’s just frustrating after we’ve been off the field for so long. It’s just part of the game, ” Pienaar added.
Meanwhile, the Stormers also had a pair of injury problems following their narrow win over the Lions in their first game of the tournament on Saturday.
Petersen, who started on the right wing after recovering from a foot injury, had to be removed on a stretcher after the half-time whistle and did not emerge during the second half. That forced Stormers coach John Dobson into a difficult change, with Tim Swiel making his debut off the bench in the upper middle, prompting Damian Willemse to go fullback and Warrick Gelant to the wing.
Speaking after the game, Dobson confirmed Petersen could be out of the game for a significant period of the national season.
‘It’s a major quadriceps injury. He felt like he was leaving, ” Dobson said. “It’s a serious injury and he will be out for a while.”
Stormers fans would also have been concerned after Willemse had to be taken off the field by the medical golf cart at the end of the game, but Dobson had good news about the flyhalf.
‘He has a bruise, what in the old days we used to call a lammie, but it should be fine. He’s walking through the locker room.
Photo: Gallo Images
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