Cape Town - The Stormers have a received a setback with the news that new loose forward recruit Stephan de Wit broke his ankle in training earlier this week.
De Wit, 25, announced the news via his official Twitter account on Wednesday.
He was one of five new signings announced by the Stormers last Friday. The others were hooker Ramone Samuels, loose forward Johan du Toit, fullback SP Marais and utility back Dan Kriel.
De Wit, who joined from the Lions, was signed to fulfil a ball fetching role for the Stormers and is now set for an extended period on the sidelines.
When the signings were announced last week, Western Province’s director of rugby, Gert Smal, said of De Wit: “In Stephan de Wit we have a genuine openside flank who plays towards the ball, which should bring some balance to our loose forwards.”
The Stormers were in Hermanus for a training camp last week and will play their first match of the year on January 28, when they travel to Zimbabwe to tackle the Cheetahs in Harare.
This will be followed by a clash with franchise partners South Western Districts in George on February 4, before concluding their preparations for Super Rugby with a match against the Lions at Newlands on February 11.
They start their season proper at home against the Bulls on Saturday, February 25.
Gutted that I broke my ankle yesterday Road to recovery now. We can't control what life throws at us, but we can control how we react #faith
— Stephan de Wit (@Stephan6forever) January 18, 2017