Cape Town - Stormers centre Juan de Jongh has been ruled out for a minimum of SIX weeks with a knee injury.
The news comes as a devastating blow for the Cape side who were expected to field a formidable partnership in midfield this season with De Jongh and skipper Jean de Villiers.
Coach Alister Coetzee is now expected to call upon Damian de Allende to fill the void.
De Allende had been expected to play on the wing this season following the departures of Bryan Habana and Gerhard van den Heever, and the long-term injury to Cheslin Kolbe.
Stormers' remaining pre-season fixtures:
Friday, February 7:
Southern Kings v Stormers, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth) - 19:00
Saturday, February 15:
Boland v Stormers, Boland Stadium (Wellington) - kick-off TBC
The news comes as a devastating blow for the Cape side who were expected to field a formidable partnership in midfield this season with De Jongh and skipper Jean de Villiers.
Coach Alister Coetzee is now expected to call upon Damian de Allende to fill the void.
De Allende had been expected to play on the wing this season following the departures of Bryan Habana and Gerhard van den Heever, and the long-term injury to Cheslin Kolbe.
Stormers' remaining pre-season fixtures:
Friday, February 7:
Southern Kings v Stormers, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth) - 19:00
Saturday, February 15:
Boland v Stormers, Boland Stadium (Wellington) - kick-off TBC
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