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Siya Kolisi during a Stormers training session at the High Performance Center in Bellville on October 20, 2020.
Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
- Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been ruled out for the Stormers’ Super Rugby Unlocked clash against the Bulls this weekend.
- Kolisi will be out for “two to three weeks” with a grade one hamstring strain.
- Flyhalf Damian Willemse is fit and available.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been ruled out for the Stormers’ Super Rugby Unlocked clash against the Bulls this weekend.
Kolisi will be out for “two to three weeks” with a grade one hamstring strain, which is actually positive news given the fears that existed after he limped off after 20-plus minutes against the Cougars in Nelspruit last Friday.
Stormers coach John Dobson confirmed on Monday that Steven Kitshoff and Scarra Ntubeni, who did not play against the Pumas after coming into contact with an individual who had tested positive for the coronavirus, could train starting Wednesday and would be available to Saturday.
Kitshoff will be the captain of the team.
The other good news coming out of camp is that top middle Damian Willemse, a late retirement on the day before the Pumas game, is “fine.”
“Siya’s injury is not as serious as we initially thought. It’s a grade one hamstring, so two or three weeks,” Donson said.
Other players who are about to get back in top form include wing Seabelo Senatla and center Ruhan Nel, who according to Dobson are still “a week or two away,” while wing Sergeal Petersen is about four weeks away. away.
However, the update on Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit wasn’t that positive.
“At this stage, it looks like he won’t play this year,” Dobson said.
“With the final on January 23, we would do well to put it on the field of this competition.
“I don’t expect him to play in this competition. If we can get him through the last two or three games that would be great. The good news is that the muscle is regenerating. That was the big concern and where his career could have been in jeopardy.
“I don’t think I’ll be back this calendar year.”
Du Toit suffered a bruise on his left thigh in February, but when the diagnosis became acute compartment syndrome, it was feared that the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year would never make a full recovery.
Dobson further confirmed that the highly rated Nama Xaba, Kolisi’s obvious replacement, could be ruled out of this weekend’s clash with an ankle strain.
