CONFIRMED: Stormers pay a dear price
INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have paid a dear price for their shut-out of the Hurricanes in a spiteful opening round Super Rugby match.
The Stormers will be without the services of World Cup-winning Springbok duo Siyamthanda Kolisi and Mbongeni Mbonambi for the foreseeable future.
Coach John Dobson confirmed that Kolisi will be sidelined for six to eight weeks - in a 'best case scenario' - after being injured during their 27-0 whitewash of the New Zealand visitors at Newlands on Saturday.
The loose forward suffered a grade three medial collateral ligament injury, after being tackled late by Ricky Riccitelli in an off-the-ball incident.
Fortunately he doesn't require surgery, but there is a possibility he may be sidelined beyond eight weeks - depending on his recovery.
Hooker Mbonambi faces two to six weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring tear he sustained during the match at the weekend.
There is some good news.
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The Stormers confirmed that loose forward Jaco Coetzee, who was the biggest concern after suffering a groin injury last week, will be fit to face the Bulls.
While Juarno Augustus is also expected to return from injury.
Cobus Wiese, another long-term injury, will also feature against the Bulls.
Lock John Schickerling is the only of the long-term injury concerns that remains sidelined.
"We are quite blessed to have players like that to call on," Dobson said.
Dobson said Coetzee or Johan du Toit, the brother of Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit, could start at No.8 in place of Kolisi.
Augustus, because of the length of his injury lay-off, will most likely play off the bench against the Bulls.
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