Cape Town – Influential Western Province fullback Cheslin Kolbe is a doubtful starter for the Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
A second-half knee injury brought a premature end to Kolbe's game in the 49-14 win over the Eastern Province Kings last Friday.
Coach Allister Coetzee said Kolbe's condition would be assessed during the week.
“Cheslin went down after suffering a hyper-extension of the knee and we will give the injury time to settle before making a selection call,” Coetzee said on Monday.
“It does appear at this stage that he could be okay to play because he went for a run on Sunday. We'll wait and see if the pain continues.”
If Cheslin fails the fitness test on Wednesday, his place is likely to be taken by either Jaco Taute or Justin Geduld.
Geduld showed he has good skills at the breakdown and can cover a number of backline positions, he said.
“There are options and the key is to maintain selection consistency. We like to keep team changes to a minimum. Justin played well when he came on against the Kings.”
Coetzee confirmed Seabelo Senatla would be out for four weeks after an initial diagnosis of only two weeks' recovery time was predicted.
“When we rescanned after Senatla's condition had settled, the medical management said it was likely he would be out for four weeks.”
Another player to leave the field late in the match against the Kings was scrumhalf Nic Groom, who would miss the Lions game with a shoulder injury.
“We'll be looking at a scrumhalf replacement like Godlin Masimla to fill the void and he has been part of our wider training group.”
Province are also sweating over the availability of loose forward Rynhardt Elstadt who was yellow-carded against the Kings and would appear before a Saru disciplinary committee in Cape Town on Tuesday.
“It will be a big setback for us if Rynhardt is suspended. We saw the impact he made when he came off the bench.”
Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, Welsh club Ospreys announced they had signed Province lock De Kock Steenkamp on a three-year deal.
The Welsh Rugby Union has approved the signing and Steenkamp could potentially play for Wales after a three-year residency period.
Coetzee said Steenkamp was still sidelined with a long-term groin injury. – Sapa