Etzebeth injured ... again

The Stormers will be sweating over the fitness of burly Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, as they head into a Super Rugby crunch encounter with the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

Etzebeth, who missed the entire 2014 Super Rugby season with an ankle injury, took a bang on his shoulder in the 29-13 win over the Sharks at the weekend.

This follows a the chest injury he suffered in a pre-season game and saw him miss the opening three weeks of the season.

The latest knock, in his first game back, affected the chest injury, given that the two injuries are in close proximity.

Etzebeth is "a bit uncomfortable" and the Stormers medical team will make a call on his participation later this week.

The table-topping Stormers will definitely be without flank Mike Rhodes when they tackle Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

Rhodes has not recovered fully from the bang to the knee he took against the Lions at the end of last month and after sitting out his team's win over the Sharks last Saturday.

Lock Ruan Botha and wing Kobus van Wyk are back in the selection mix this week, as is Jurie van Vuuren (lock/flank), as the Stormers get set to host New Zealand's Conference leaders.

Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni took a knock to the shoulder on Saturday.

It does not appear to be serious, but a call will be made on him later this week.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi (AC Joint) missed the Sharks clash with an injury suffered at training last week.

He was throwing in at training on Monday, which is a good sign in terms of his fitness.

Centre Juan de Jongh and fullback Cheslin Kolbe sat out parts of training on Monday, but both are continually being managed on Mondays after both carrying heavy workloads during games and at training.

There is a delay on Jaco Taute's (centre/fullback) return from a knee injury and he is a doubt for the Stormers' upcoming tour of Australasia.

The medical team will continue to be conservative on him.