Embattled Kings sweating over injured players

However, injuries to a host of other players are causing headaches for coach Deon Davids ahead of the winless Kings' encounters with the Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth this coming Saturday and Bloemfontein a week later.

Stephan Coetzee, who played at hooker in the place of Willemse since he suffered a stomach muscle injury back in September, is one of several players on the doubtful list for this week's encounter.

Coetzee injured his back in the 7-37 loss to Edinburgh in freezing conditions in Scotland at the weekend.

The hooker went into the game with a slight niggle and aggravated the injury at the weekend.

He will undergo a scan on Monday before a cause of action will be decided upon.

While team doctor Clement Plaatjies does not think it is serious, he felt they will need to treat him "quite aggressively" if is to be available to the encounter with the Cheetahs.

However, of much bigger concern is the knee injury suffered by flyhalf Kurt Coleman in Edinburgh.

Coleman, who has just returned from one of several injury setbacks in recent times, will be re-assessed back in Port Elizabeth before a call on his availability is made.

The team doctor said there were "lots of bumps and bruises".

Scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen and flank Eitel Bredenkamp both have contusions of their forearms.

Lock Dries van Schalkwyk left the field for a head injury assessment, but passed his concussion test. However, he suffered a broken nose.

The nose has been reset and he should be considered for selection.

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com