Freak injury sets Stormers back

THE Stormers face a potential hooker crisis after Scarra Ntubeni sustained a shoulder injury at training, potentially putting him out for months.

Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg is still recovering from a back injury and is only expected to be ready to play by week three of the tournament.

Ntubeni faces four weeks of observation before a decision is made about whether he needs surgery or not.

“Scarra was injured in a freak accident when he fell awkwardly and someone landed on top of him,” coach Allister Coetzee said.

“With Tiaan also injured we only have one fit hooker in Deon Fourie. We are going to put some feelers out to recruit another hooker on a temporary basis as cover.”

The Stormers are taking a conservative route with Ntubeni’s treatment and he will seek a second opinion from a specialist.

The coach also confirmed Schalk Burger and Andries Bekker would be fit for the opening match of the campaign against the Bulls on February 22 and would take part in full training next week.

Springboks Gio Aplon, Deon Carstens, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Eben Etzebeth, Bryan Habana, and Duane Vermeulen were all named in the group along with Burger, Bekker and Liebenberg.

New faces, Ruan Botha (lock), Patric Cilliers (prop), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf) and Jaco Taute (fullback) were also included.

But centre JP du Plessis, Ntubeni and flyhalf Gary van Aswegen, were not considered because of injury and will be assessed after the camp again.

The Western Province Rugby Union also confirmed Habana would join French club Toulon at the end of the 2013 Super Rugby campaign.

The Stormers will play warm-up matches against Boland and the Cheetahs on February 2 and 9.