Herschel not serious but Pieter-Steph out for longer

There was good news both from a DHL Stormers and national viewpoint on the fitness status of Herschel Jantjies but not so Pieter-Steph du Toit when Robbie Fleck gave his injury update to the Cape media on Tuesday.

There are several players in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus's plans for the World Cup who are struggling with their fitness at present and the SA Rugby director of rugby wouldn't have been happy with the news that has filtered back from the Stormers.

There was an outside chance that Du Toit would be ready to play for the Stormers as early as this week's final Vodacom Super Rugby league clash with the Cell C Sharks and the initial prognosis was that he would manage the AC joint problem that troubled him during the recent win over the Highlanders for two to three weeks.

But you can now add on another four to even six weeks to that, which means that it is going to be touch and go whether the 2018 South African Rugby Players of the Year will be available for the opening Rugby Championship clashes that will form a key part of the Bok onfield build-up to the World Cup.

Apart from the three Championship matches, the extra game against Argentina and the dress-rehearsal clash with Japan two weeks before the tournament kicks off there aren’t many opportunities for the players to pick up playing momentum.

In some previous World Cups the Boks have had the chance to warm-up during the tournament in the sense that their pool matches have been relatively easy, but this time they will be starting against tournament favourites New Zealand and therefore need to hit the tournament running.

"Pieter-Steph is now probably out for another four to six weeks," said Stormers coach Robbie Fleck on Tuesday.

"JD Schickerling will also not be available for this week's game. He has a hand injury and the bone hasn't fused yet. Hopefully if we get through this week's challenge and make it into the playoffs we will be able to call on him."

'NOT A LONG-TERM INJURY'

Scrumhalf Jantjies has surely played himself into a position where he is hovering on the edges of Springbok selection.

It didn't look good for his Bok hopes when he left the field against the Sunwolves last weekend with a shoulder injury, but Fleck says the injury is less serious than first feared.

"Herschel has gone for scans and they've come back clear but there may be bone bruising and maybe a muscle tear so at this stage it doesn't look like he will be good for selection this week," said the coach. "But the good news is that it doesn't look like a long term injury.

"In terms of the other guys we were talking about after the Sunwolves game, we will be getting back Scarra Ntubeni and Seabelo Senatla, and of course Damian de Allende, who has now had the rest stipulated by the Bok resting protocols."

Fleck admitted that having Jantjies miss the Sharks game will be a big loss for the Stormers.

"He's been phenomenal for us this year and he is a big part of our attacking plan. At the same time we probably all agree that Jano Vermaak, who replaced him last week, played very well. It is good to have his experience back in the squad but it will be nice to have Herschel back if we progress further in the competition."

If the Stormers win against the Sharks they will secure a playoff spot, and will find themselves heading next week to either Christchurch or Buenos Aires to play the Crusaders or Jaguares.

He is holding out some hope that Jantjies might be part of the group if the Stormers do progress.

"Hopefully Herschel will be back if we do progress. He went for more scans today. We are just waiting for them to come back. It is looking much better for him and hopefully he will be back next week."