Sickness strikes Stormers' camp

Winter has struck the Stormers squad with a number of trying to shake off illness and stars Bryan Habana and Juan de Jongh sent home to recover.

Coach Allister Coetzee was forced to withdraw fullback Joe Pietersen and Habana in the hours before last weekend's victory over the Lions with the pair too sick to feature in the matchday 22.

Likewise tighthead prop Frans Malherbe was able to shake off a cold and started the match, but came off at half-time to be replaced by Brok Harris.

Coetzee confirmed that on Monday both De Jongh and Habana were sent home as the coaching staff didn't want to risk the rest of the team coming into contact with the players who might be contagious.

"As soon as we know a player is infected we send him home because he needs to be isolated," Coetzee told the media.

"This flu is contagious and we'll see how De Jongh feels on Tuesday. Centre Marcel Brache, who played as a first-half replacement on Saturday, has also been bitten by the bug."

The good news for Coeztee is that he'll have lock-cum-flank Rynhardt Elstadt back this week having served his suspension for picking up three yellow cards this season.

However, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth won't be fit in time for this weekend's match and will need another week to recover from his ankle injury.