Stormers face front-row call, Bok unavailable
The Stormers have provided an injury update on tighthead prop Sazi Sandi ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against Zebre in Parma.
There were concerns that Sandi might face a spell on the sidelines after limping off during the Stormers’ 34-0 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli, but the latest news from the camp is far more positive.
“We think Sazi will be OK,” Stormers backline coach Dawie Snyman told the media on Tuesday. “His foot was stepped on and we feared it was a ligament or a bone in his foot that was damaged, but the scan shows that there is no serious damage.”
Snyman added that while there’s no guarantee Sandi will feature in Saturday night’s clash in Parma, the outlook is encouraging.
We’ll keep monitoring him this week, but the signs are good,” he explained
If Sandi isn’t cleared, youngster Zachary Porthen could be promoted to the starting line-up, with new signing Hencus van Wyk potentially coming onto the bench.
Snyman also confirmed that Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and utility back Damian Willemse will remain with the squad this week, while scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will not be available as he settles into life back in Cape Town.
“I think his wife needed him to hang some pictures because they’ve just moved to Cape Town and he hasn’t been home,” Dobson joked last week ahead of the Scarlets clash. “If you work it out, since he left [French club] Montpellier, he’d been in the Bok camp the whole time.
“He will join us at some point during this tour – whether it’s next week or the week thereafter. I think definitely for Benetton [in Treviso on 25 October].”
