Basson wings in at just right time

Less than 24 hours after losing wing Leolin Zas to a suspected broken leg the Stormers unveiled former Bulls and Springbok wing Bjorn Basson as a new signing for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Zas sustained the injury during the Stormers’ preseason warm-up against the Lions at Newlands on Saturday. The Stormers scored nine tries in winning 57-40. The Stormers also lost Bok centre Juan de Jongh to a suspected torn knee ligament in the match. The extent of both injuries will be confirmed on Monday.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck was upset after the game. “It is a horrible blow for us. Leolin was really looking forward to this season and he’s just come back from an injury and is very distraught‚” he said.

“And Juan is also not good. I will leave it to the medical staff to make their assessments‚ but it looks like he’s going to be out for several weeks.”

Basson’s arrival and the inclusion of Blitzboks star wing Seabelo Senatla in the squad are timely given the outside back injury situation. Basson has amassed 95 Super Rugby caps and has scored an impressive 35 tries in that time‚ which illustrates his abilities as a finisher.

Director of rugby Gert Smal said that Basson would be a welcome addition to the Stormers squad. “Bjorn is a versatile player whose record speaks for itself and we are excited to add another player with proven quality.”

Former Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen‚ who played for the Sharks in 2016, has been training with the Stormers. But he will only be used in a mentoring role at this stage.

The Stormers are also light at openside flank with Marnus Schoeman‚ who was loaned from the Pumas two weeks ago‚ suffering concussion in training last week. /