Flyhalf, skipper both injured in Kings’ Glasgow game
FLYHALF Martin du Toit has been ruled out of the Southern Kings’ PRO14 match against Ulster at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele on Saturday after sustaining a concussion against Glasgow Warriors.
The other bad news for the beleaguered Southern Kings is that skipper Michael Willemse is a doubtful starter for the Ulster clash due to abdominal strain. Willemse left the field clutching his abdomen after 30 minutes during his team’s 43-13 loss to Glasgow Warriors on Friday.
His departure was a major blow for the Kings.
Kings team doctor Clement Plaatjies said: “Martin sustained a concussion in his debut game.
“He will follow the normal return to play protocol, so once he is symptom-free for one week, we can start with his return to play.
“He will probably only be ready for the Scarlets game on November 26.
“Captain Michael Willemse has been struggling with an abdominal strain for some time which does not really give him any issues in training, but seems to flare up during games.
“This was at its worst during the Glasgow game and we are paying a lot more attention to that.
“Our plan is to get a scan when the team return to Port Elizabeth from Scotland to see exactly what is going on there.”
Players who took knocks to the shoulders were Alshaun Bock and Rossouw de Klerk, who will be monitored this week.
Kings head coach Deon Davids said his team had been hampered by the loss of hooker Willemse and flyhalf Du Toit.
“We were a bit unlucky to get crucial injuries at times when we had a bit of momentum and were under their skin.
“We lost our captain early in the game, as well as Martin du Toit, who did some good stuff.”
The defeat against Glasgow was a seventh straight loss for the Kings, who will be looking to redeem themselves against Ulster.
Davids said he remained proud of his team, despite their slow start to the season.
“We have a young group of players and they have learnt a lot against Glasgow. I think they will be better next time.
“I was really proud of the effort of the boys for almost 60 minutes of the game.
“I think there was huge improvement [on Saturday] compared with our last game against Benetton Treviso.
“One should also bear in mind that we played against a top-of-the-log team in Glasgow.
“We are bleeding about the loss, but are not discouraged.
“We will keep on working hard on individual improvement and our execution.
“The Kings can only grow as a team from here.
“We will revisit the areas we can improve on and will work hard ahead of our game against Ulster.
It had been a tight game for much of the first half until a three-minute blitz from the home side swung the momentum their way.
The result means the Kings are still winless after seven games and rooted to the foot of Conference B, while Glasgow remain runaway Conference A leaders.
Five of the Kings’ opening seven games have been played in Europe.
They will be desperate for an improved form on home turf. After small crowds watched their opening home matches against Leinster and Zebre, the Kings are hoping for a better turnout in Kwazakhele.
After the Ulster clash, they will also have home games against Scarlets and Edinburgh as they bid to turn things around before a break during the festive season.
Scorers:
Glasgow Warriors 43: Tries: Stuart Hogg, Niko Matawalu, Nick Grigg, Zander Fagerson, Matt Smith, George Horne, George Turner. Conversions: Adam Hastings (2), Ruaridth Jackson (2). Southern Kings 13: Try: Jacques Nel. Conversion: Oliver Zono. Penalties: Masixole Banda (2).