Stormers suffer injury blow after De Allende is ruled out for 12 weeks

The Stormers on Monday confirmed that centre Damian de Allende will miss the next 12 weeks of Super Rugby due an ankle injury sustained during Saturday’s 37-24 win over the Bulls at Newlands.

It’s a huge blow in the opening week of the tournament‚ especially as De Allende’s fellow Bok centre Juan de Jongh suffered a pre-season knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for 12 weeks too. Although the situation is hardly ideal‚ it will allow youngsters the chance to flourish.

EW Viljoen‚ who made his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls‚ gave a commanding performance filled with promise.

His long-term fitness and development has suddenly become a priority. With Scotland international Huw Jones still involved in the Six Nations‚ coach Robbie Fleck will have to call on the inexperienced duo of Dan Kriel and Daniel du Plessis to make the step up in the coming weeks. Jones might play this weekend against the Jaguares as the Six Nations takes a one-week break.

He has returned to Cape Town but it’s unlikely he will start‚ given his international workload in recent weeks.

Jones also missed most of the pre-season because of his Scotland commitments. But the 21-year-old Viljoen looked comfortable at Super Rugby level after impressing in a brief stint in last year’s Currie Cup before injury ended his campaign. At 1.92 and 93kg‚ Viljoen is a large outside centre.

He used his size effectively in the tackle but more impressive was his ability to organise the Stormers defence. “It was a great honour to play for the Stormers and I couldn’t have asked for a better debut‚ to beat the Bulls at Newlands‚” Viljoen said.

“It was a big step up in terms of intensity. I work really hard on my defence – especially organising it – because we want to dominate while making good decisions. “I want to improve those skills and become the best in the world at them.

“Last year was frustrating in terms of the injuries I had because I couldn’t string more than two games together‚ but I feel like I’m over them after a good pre-season. “As a team we will need to step up now because Damian is one of our leaders and a key player. But we have depth at centre and there are players who can fill his position.”

Viljoen praised Fleck’s input in helping make a smooth transition to Super Rugby‚ where the youngster also tapped into the coach’s experience as a Test centre. “Robbie makes me feel relaxed because of his experience as a player as well‚” Viljoen said.

When he selected me to start against the Bulls that gave me a huge boost because I knew then that he fully backed me. It gave me a lot of confidence.” Viljoen showed deft attacking touches as well‚ including a smart grubber kick that led to a try for wing Cheslin Kolbe and if h stays fit‚ could be one of the finds of the season.

- TMG Digital