Stormers remove two World Cup-winning Boks from Champions Cup squad
The Stormers have removed the injured duo of Steven Kitshoff and Damian Willemse from their Investec Champions Cup squad just days before their campaign gets underway.
The double World Cup-winning loosehead prop recently underwent neck fusion surgery, while Willemse is suffering from a groin injury in a year where he has been beset by issues.
Kitshoff was recently a guest on RugbyPass TV's Boks Office, where he detailed the severity of his injury and the surgery, saying: “It’s a bit of a stressful one because it’s such a high area of my neck – C1 and C2 – which is a bit of an issue."
The 32-year-old recently revealed on social media that he was "thrilled to share that my operation was a big success,” but added that it will be a "long recovery journey," which explains why he will be unavailable this weekend and beyond for the Stormers.
The pair have been deregistered for the opening round of the competition, against Toulon on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with two additional players being added.
Zachary Porthen has been called up in Kitshoff's place, while Willemse has been replaced by Jonathan Roche.
Saracens have been forced into the same move ahead of their match against the Bulls, with second-row academy graduate Charlie Barker being replaced by Tiff Eden.
Only one other Champions Cup outfit has opted to alter their squad, with Leicester Tigers deregistering back-row Joshua Manz in order for Cameron Miell to join the squad for their trip to face Bordeaux-Begles.
Edinburgh have been forced into two squad changes ahead of their Challenge Cup meeting with Gloucester, with Scotland centre Mark Bennett and flanker Connor Boyle out. Euan McVie and Tom Currie will step in in their place.
The final squad change comes from France, where Perpignan have called up back-row Andro Dvali for Alan Brazo.
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Yea, having all of JAS, marky mark and petaia to pick from would be a nice problem to have with the like of wright in form and ever reliable kellaway. What did you think of jorgenson? Do you see the promise everyone else seems to see? Is he the wallabies will jordan? Thanks for the stats re lineout, i thought it was a reliable part of the wallabies game this year short of a few mishaps with bench hookers, but good to know it was actually a bit of a weapon. Do you agree with the larger point though? That the wallabies couldn't get out of their half through an inability to force a turnover?
Go to commentsFour Englishmen after this autumn? I should think not. Itoje and Smith are the only two guaranteed a ticket.
Chandler Cunningham-South surely is a future star, but it’s either going to be Beirne, or Doris at the blindside, and CCS is not replacing either of those two.
Russell over Smith. I see no reason why Smith should be ahead of Russell.
Sleightholme just started his international career, and now he should start for the Lions? And he’s what? Replacing DvdM, a record try scorer for Scotland, who’s in his prime, and is a proven Lions’ veteran? Yeah, I don’t think so, either. Both Lowe and DvdM easily ahead of OS, and Mack Hansen likely as well. I think even Feyi-Waboso is ahead of OS.
Dan Sheehan (if he’s healthy) over Dewi Lake, but Lake on the bench. Him and Morgan the only two Welshmen on the tour.
Otherwise a solid team. On form, it should be the best of Ireland and Scotland, with a handful of Englishmen and two Welshmen.
Early days, though. 6N will have much more weight on the final decision.
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