The Stormers suffered an injury setback at the weekend, with lock forward Rynhardt Elstadt picking up an ankle injury against the Kings to put him in doubt for his side’s Super Rugby opener, against the Hurricanes next weekend.
Elstadt picked up a grade one tear to a ligament in his ankle, putting him on the sidelines for around three weeks and thus pretty much guaranteed to miss the outing against the Canes. It’s the second blow to the Stormers in a week, with reserve Hooker Deon Fourie also ruled out for 6 weeks or so with a broken hand.
Also in doubt is centre Juan de Jongh, who picked up a jaw injury during the Lions game, while Nick Koster and Joe Pietersen are both expected to recover in time to face the Hurricanes. Should Elstadt and de Jongh miss out, they could be replaced by Eben Etzebeth and Bryan Habana respectively, with the latter shifting from wing to outside centre.
Looking forward to seeing more of Etzebeth.
If what we saw from him at the U21 world cup is anything to go by, he could be big. Unless the Cape media call him the next Bok and he goes soft…
I hope that Elstadt recovers quickly! I expect him to be a contender for the next Bok number 4 along with with Sykes, van der Merwe and Mostert.
Will be good to see how Habana goes at 13 against top quality opposition!
Good thing our first game is against the Hurricanes. Should be enough time for injuries to heal.
@Leviathan (Comment 3) : Etzebeth can step up and Steenkamp and Lobberts can also step in. Plenty of depth in the squad.
@Leviathan (Comment 3) : that comment makes no sense…
I watched WP vs Sharks U21 last year and although Etsebeth was good, Peiter Steph was a moster that day.
Owned him in all facets from lineout to loose to physical play.
@John Galt (Comment 6) : my recollection from JWC was that Etzebeth was very soft for his size and seemed to enjoy playing wing. Not surprised Piet stuffed him.
@John Galt (Comment 6) : That game was so start-stop that the only thing seeming to own anyone was the wind.
Pieter-Steph made a huge impact in the game down in CT tho. He got thru a mountain of work.
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
we should be able to beat the Canes even below full strength. As long as our best are back for the next round I’m happy.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : I disagree ,he was one of the standout players for me.
@Leviathan (Comment 9) : oh I see… nice to see you okes are starting the arrogance extra-early this year
@Talent (Comment 10) : do you understand what locks are for, duck?
Does Habana ever pass the ball ?
@Zibbie (Comment 13) :
Apparently he played very well at centre against the Kings. Broke the line a few times and set up at least one of our tries.
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
Not arrogance man, but if we had to play a game without our best, then I’d rather it be against the Canes then say the Blues. With their All Black exodus I don’t imagine the Hurricanes are going to pose much of a threat this year.
Hey Rob, nice Canterbury web-banner ads but who are the tools pictured in them?
Why is Habana pulling the blue-steel look in that Cantebury ad? What a chop.
Sharks side has changed -Michalak and Botes out Mtembu and Mcleod in
@Talent (Comment 18) : thanks – got it
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) :
Rich
I saw him play 40 odd minutes against the Cheetahs in the pre-season game and he was very very good.
Now please note I am not trying to hype him up or call for his inclusion in the Boks just yet, *cough* JP du Plessis *cough*
@wpw (Comment 20) :
Thank you Wes!
I get the impression he will go far, looking forward to seeing him in action against decent opposition, and to see if he can make that step up.