Good news on Carr injury

Cape Town - Western Province have received a boost with the news that stand-in captain Nizaam Carr’s hamstring injury is not as bad as originally feared.

Carr was forced to leave the field in first half of Province’s 33-15 win over Griquas on Saturday, and there were fears immediately after the game that the injury would see him ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Durban to take on the Sharks.

That still might be the case, but on Monday the union revealed that a final call on Carr’s availability for the weekend would be taken on Thursday.

Should Carr be ruled out, coach John Dobson revealed that he would likely turn to Sikhumbuzo Notshe to take on the No. 8 duties.

"The chances are good," said Dobson.

"Our feeling is that we need a No. 8 who can carry, return … the Sharks have got a massive kicking game so we need somebody who could help with that so Notshe would be sort of like-for-like if Nemo (Carr) was out."

Scrumhalf Nic Groom took over the captaincy duties when Carr left the field against Griquas, and Dobson hinted that he would go the same way should Carr not play against the Sharks.

"I think Groomie did quite a good job on Saturday but I think we’re much more confident about Nemo (Carr) than we were after the game," said Dobson.

Carr was also optimistic about his chances of recovery.

"It feels good … a massive improvement since Saturday," he said.

"I wasn’t feeling too comfortable on Saturday after the game. I was icing … I feel much better …. It’s not torn, it’s just a strain."

FULL WESTERN PROVINCE INJURY REPORT

– No.8 Nizaam Carr (hamstring strain) will be given until Thursday – when the WP team is announced – to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend.

– Loosehead prop Oli Kebble (hamstring) and flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshe (AC Joint) are both back at training and available for selection.

– Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak (finger) is back at training after missing the past two weeks of action.

– Lock/flank Jurie van Vuuren came through the match against Griquas well (playing 57 minutes), having not played for three months.