The Stormers have been handed a big blow ahead of their clash against the Hurricanes in New Zealand on Saturday.
Enforcer and lock Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out of the encounter after suffering a blow to the head in their 35-8 win over the Jaguares at Newlands last Friday.
Coach Robbie Fleck explains: “Eben’s probably going to be out for the first game.
“He failed his HIA [head injury assessment] test.
“But we have some young guns who are looking for some opportunity and they will get it in that first game.
GETS CHANCE: Salmaan Moerat. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
“Eben was going to miss one game on tour”
Etzebeth, though, was still included in the touring party that left for Australasia yesterday.
Also on the flight to New Zealand was Paarl lock Salmaan Moerat, who is one of those youngsters that are waiting for a chance to shine.
Moerat is joined by fellow lock Chris van Zyl, flyhalf Joshua Stander and prop Michael Kumbirai as the four players in the squad that weren’t in the matchday 23 that beat the Jaguares.
Stormers touring squad:
Juarno Augustus, Jaco Coetzee, Damian de Allende, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Corne Fourie, Herschel Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi ( captain), Michael Kumbirai, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, SP Marais, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Ruhan Nel, Scarra Ntubeni, Sergeal Petersen, Justin Phillips, JD Schickerling, Joshua Stander, Chris van Zyl, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse.