Stormers without first choice flyhaves after Du Plessis ruled out for rest of year
Image: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The Stormers will go into the remainder of the Super Rugby season without their first choice flyhalves Jean-Luc du Plessis and Rob du Preez after they were ruled out this week.
Du Plessis will have hip surgery this week and will be on the sidelines for the remainder of the year‚ ruling him out of the Currie Cup as well.
The player‚ who started 2017 as the Stormers’ first choice flyhalf‚ has battled with a hip problem since the early stages of the tournament‚ and has eventually succumbed to the surgery option.
Initial indications were that the issue was not too severe‚ but that assessment has changed after months of failing to respond to rehab.
Du Preez‚ who sustained a torn pectoral muscle on tour in New Zealand‚ has also made slower than expected progress and will be out for a further three months‚ leaving Kurt Coleman‚ SA under-20 player Damian Willemse and newly capped Springbok Dillyn Leyds as coach Robbie Fleck’s flyhalf options.
On the positive side of the ledger‚ hooker Scarra Ntubeni‚ centre Dan du Plessis and flanks Rynhardt Elstadt and Steph de Wit will all return to full training next week.
Ntubeni makes his return from an Achilles injury sustained in the Currie Cup last year‚ while Du Plessis was able to avoid undergoing surgery on his shoulder‚ which he dislocated against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Elstadt has recovered from a fractured rib and De Wit is back after breaking his ankle in pre-season.
Centre Huw Jones' hamstring is recovering well and he should be available to play in five weeks time.
Lock Jan de Klerk (broken toe) and flank Cobus Wiese (shoulder) are both expected to return in three months time.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport