Investec Stormers flank Schalk Burger could return to the starting lineup for the Super 12 match against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.
And the odds on Investec Stormers centre Jean de Villiers playing against the Chiefs on Saturday improved dramatically on Monday when a scan revealed his cheekbone is not fractured.
De Villiers was on the receiving end of a punch from Blues centre Rua Tipoki in Saturday’s match and had to leave the field to be stitched up. The Springbok received 15 stitches to the wound.
The culprit was given a three-week suspension on Monday. Investec Stormers coach Gert Smal told a local newspaper it was important “that things like that are rooted out. It is unacceptable”.
De Villiers, who is second on the list of top try-scorers in the Super 12, said he put the incident behind him and was only looking forward to playing at midfield again. “I’ve had much worse. This happens in rugby.
“It is a contact sport and you just have to accept it,” he told The Cape Times.
The coach was optimistic about welcoming back to the starting XV flanker Schalk Burger and lock Quinton Davids, who missed the previous two games through injury.
“Schalk trained a little and we will have a look at him again at training tomorrow (Tuesday). Quinton trained well,” said Smal.
The medical team will also assess the calf injury of Faan Rautenbach on Tuesday. The tighthead prop had to withdraw from the side that played against the Blues on Saturday because of a calf injury.
We may occupy three of the bottom four places, but South African wingers still know how to score tries in the Vodacom Super 12.
Vodacom Super 12 Point Scorers:
106: Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
101: Jimmy Gopperth (Hurricanes)
98: Andre Pretorius (Cats)
95: Peter Hewat (NSW Waratahs), Ben Blair (Highlanders)
79: David Hill (Chiefs)
73: Luke McAlister (Blues)
52: Matt Giteau (ACT Brumbies)
50: Rico Gear (Crusaders)
46: Morne Steyn (Bulls)
37: Mat Rogers (NSW Waratahs)
34: Andrew Mehrtens (Crusaders)
32: Chris Rossouw (Investec Stormers)
31: Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
30: Gaffie du Toit (Investec Stormers), Julian Huxley (Queensland Reds), Jean de Villiers (Investec Stormers)
Vodacom Super 12 Try Scorers:
Ten: Rico Gear (Crusaders)
Six: Peter Hewat (NSW Waratahs), Jean de Villiers (Investec Stormers)
Five: Joe Rokocoko (Blues), Caleb Ralph (Crusaders), Morgan Turinui (NSW Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs), Bryan Habana (Bulls), Akona Ndungane (Bulls), Conrad Jantjes (Cats)
Four: Doug Howlett (Blues), Sosene Anesi (Chiefs), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes)
Three: Tasesa Lavea (Blues), Lome Fa’atau (Hurricanes), Andrew Mehrtens (Crusaders), Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Aaron Mauger (Crusaders), Ben Blair (Highlanders), Josh Blackie (Highlanders), Junior Palesasa (Queensland Reds), Drew Mitchell (Reds), Scott Fave (ACT Brumbies), Radike Samo (ACT Brumbies), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Tonderai Chavanga (Investec Stormers), Jacques Cronje (Bulls).
