The Stormers suffered a massive blow to their chances of upsetting the Canterbury Crusaders when Springbok Robbie Fleck hobbled out of Monday’s practice and was later ruled out of Friday night’s Vodacom Super 12 clash.
Fleck, who was in outstanding form against the Chiefs at the weekend, injured his right hamstring during a routine training drill.
Flank Pierre Uys was also ruled out of the match, compounding coach Gert Smal’s mounting injury crisis. Uys is suffering from a dislocated fifth finger on his left hand.
Both players will undergo rehabilitation and will be re-assessed again next week ahead of the final Super 12 round-robin match against the Cats.
Grant Esterhuizen and Jaco Gouws will however re-join the Stormers this week, and will be eligible for selection to the team that clashes with the defending champions.
The Crusaders meanwhile, face an injury crisis of their own with All Black fullback Leon MacDonald in serious doubt for the match at Newlands.
Question marks also surround the Mauger brothers, Nathan and Aaron, following the Crusaders nail-biting one point loss to the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
With All Blacks centre Mark Robinson still recovering from a back injury, the Crusaders are down to only eight fit backs, but have flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens in fighting form.
Nathan Mauger suffered a recurrence of an old knee injury, and was replaced in the first half by Scott Hamilton, while Aaron Mauger was unable to move at full pace in the second half.
Aaron is suffering from a shoulder injury as well as nursing a sore foot. – Sapa