The Stormers have lost Gio Aplon and Duane Vermeulen for this weekend’s Round 10 Super Rugby match against the Force in Perth.
rugbyweek
Both Aplon and Vermeulen are on their way back to South Africa and will not play again on tour.
The Stormers have a timely bye in Round 11 which will give their injured players time to heal.
Aplon has a hamstring injury and is likely to be replaced by former Bulls winger Gerhard van der Heever.
Vermeulen’s leg injury means that the Stormers have lost their fourth captain after having lost Schalk Burger, Jean de Villers and Andries Bekker.
Vermeulen’s injury is a big loss for the Stormers pack as their forwards are dropping by the week.
One report suggests that Vermeulen might only return after Super Rugby takes a break in June which rules him out of contention for the Springboks three matches against England.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has the option of playing Nick Koster at No 8 this weekend where he will likely go up against Wallaby No.8 Richard Brown.
Andries Bekker missed the Reds clash and could come back into contention for this week’s match and if he does come back he will most likely be named captain again.
Meanwhile Eben Etzebeth is still struggling with a shoulder injury that he sustained playing against the Crusaders so Bekker’s return is a big boost for the Stormers.
April 23rd, 2012 at 11:20 SAST
Arghhh, it’s just the Force… should’nt matter too much
April 23rd, 2012 at 11:23 SAST
Dink die Stormers moet vir Eben ‘n ruskans gee, hy gee alles maar ek wonder of hy nie sy beserings of ‘niggles’ gaan vererger nie ?
April 23rd, 2012 at 12:36 SAST
Eish! heartbreaking stuff for Duanne. Every year when he has played himself into contention, then he gets seriously injured. Just spoke to his mom, and she says it’s the other knee that went!
Now we are left with handbags Spies! Man on Saturdayhe didn\’t fall off tackles, he flew off them. Ag nee wat, get Boom Prinsloo back fast lol
April 23rd, 2012 at 13:13 SAST
3: ja jong, selfs ek is moeg om ou
te verdedig, maar hy sal nou moet uithaal en wys, ek kan hom nie meer dra nie ! 
Hoop hy kom reg, want daar is nie veel ander agstemanne wat hand opsteek nie. Dalk moet die Bulle vir CJ nou kans gee op agsteman.
April 23rd, 2012 at 15:56 SAST
Flank Don Armand and centre Berton Klaasen left today to join the squad, and Langbek is expected to start on Saturday. Lets hope they rest Etsabeth too.
April 24th, 2012 at 07:44 SAST
I am getting more and more worried that Spies will be made captain. Perhaps Meyer will pick the form players and start with Strauss at hooker and captain.
April 24th, 2012 at 07:56 SAST
@ Loosehead:I reckon it will be FdP
April 24th, 2012 at 08:20 SAST
@ Just For Kicks:Anyone but Spies!
April 24th, 2012 at 13:32 SAST
8: jy sal self vir Bryce Lawrence bo Spies kies !
April 24th, 2012 at 13:52 SAST
9@ bdb: Bliksem, donner, nee!