Cape Town - Eben Etzebeth has not yet recovered from his calf problem in time for the Stormers’ Super Rugby clash against the Sunwolves on Saturday.
Etzebeth was expected to be back for the trip to Singapore after missing four games with a calf injury that he picked up in training.
But Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said at a press conference in Bellville on Monday that the Springbok lock wasn’t quite ready to be part of the action.
“There was a bit of a delay in his recovery, and we certainly hope that he will be ready next week. We’ve been advised by the medical staff not to push him. The best for him and the team is for him to sit out this week,” Fleck said.
“He is certainly feeling confident, but the best advice was to give him another week. It was a fairly big calf tear, and he is a big unit, so it takes a bit more time for him to recover.
“He’s missed a fair bit, and you want your best players on the park. But we are confident that he will be back next week, bar any further issues.”
Fleck named a 25-man squad for the Singapore game, and he said that it would’ve included Godlen Masimla to cover scrumhalf and wing in the absence of the suspended Leolin Zas.
But Masimla sustained concussion for the second time this season while playing for Western Province in a 24-16 defeat to the Sharks XV in Durban at the weekend, which sees utility back Khanyo Ngcukana coming into the group.
Stormers Tour Squad
Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Rynhardt Elstadt, Nic Groom, JC Janse van Rensburg, Huw Jones, Oli Kebble, Vincent Koch, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, Johnny Kotze, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, JD Schickerling, Louis Schreuder, Brandon Thomson, Kobus van Wyk, Alistair Vermaak.
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