Damian’s injury rocks Stormers
ANKLE PROBLEM: STAR CENTRE OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
De Allende in race against time to be fit for Bok Tests.
It’s not just a setback for the Stormers but also the Springboks who would probably have to look for a new No 12 for the June incoming Tests against France. Stormers centre Damian de Allende was yesterday ruled out for 12 weeks with an ankle injury in last weekend’s confidence-boosting 37-24 win over the Bulls at Newlands.
It could mean De Allende could only be set for a return by the end of May which will put him in a race against time to be fit for the first Test against the Tricolores on June 10 at Loftus Versfeld.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck rightfully described it as a massive loss especially after it seemed De Allende had recaptured his best form last weekend against the Bulls.
But Fleck said they will welcome back Scotland centre Huw Jones this week ahead of their home clash against the Jaguares in Cape Town this weekend.
With Juan de Jongh also on the injured list for the next 11 weeks, the Stormers will rely heavily on Jones and EW Viljoen, who made a solid debut against the Bulls last weekend.
They also have Dan du Plessis and Dan Kriel to fall back on, especially when Jones has to return to Scotland for the remainder of the Six Nations with Scotland’s next fixture the big challenge against England.
“Jones and EW Viljoen will now have to play a big role for us in the next few weeks of the competition,” Fleck conceded.
De Allende and De Jongh have joined others like hooker Scarra Ntubeni (Achilles) and wing Leolin Zas, who suffered a broken leg before the competition started in a pre-season friendly against the Lions at Newlands, on the growing Stormers injury list.
There is also a minor concern over captain Siya Kolisi, who took a hard knock early in the Bulls match and had to receive treatment for his shoulder, but he played on.