No less than 15 Stormers unavailable for selection due to injury

Loosehead props Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lizo Gqoboka (Achilles) continue their long-term rehabilitation and are not expected to feature this season.

Joining them on the long-term injury list are centre Ruhan Nel and scrumhalf Imad Khan who both recently underwent shoulder surgery, along with loose forward Keke Morabe who is recovering from a leg fracture.

Lock JD Schickerling (shoulder), wing Seabelo Senatla (calf) and fullback JC Mars (ankle) will all be out of action for at least another four weeks, while flyhalf Manie Libbok's return from a knee injury is still to be determined depending on how he reacts to his treatment.

Utility backs Damian Willemse (hip), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (sternum and thumb), Suleiman Hartzenberg (hand) and Jean-Luc du Plessis (wrist) are all expected to be back on the field in about four weeks, should there be no setbacks in the final stages of their rehabilitation.

Loose forward Louw Nel (hamstring) and lock Connor Evans (knee) will rejoin team training in the next week and should be available for selection from next week.

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