I contacted the Stormers aboiut the injury situation and they said there will be a report issued today. The following report was apparntly issued:-
Report
"Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will not play any Super Rugby for the Stormers this year after suffering a new injury setback with a broken toe.
The destructive lock has been out of action the whole year so far after suffering an ankle injury on the Springboks' year-end tour of Europe last year.
The broken toe means that his return has been delayed by a further two to three weeeks, which rules him out of the Stormers' remaining two matches in the competition.
The Cape outfit are out of the running for a place in the play-offs which means that Etzebeth's first game back could be for the Boks against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on August 16.
However, there was some good injury news for the Stormers with forwards Deon Fourie and Tiaan Liebenberg and backs Louis Schreuder, Juan de Jongh, Kobus van Wyk and Gio Aplon all fit to be considered for selection for Saturday's home clash against the Bulls.
Fourie has recovered from a concussion concern, whilst Liebenberg is finally available again after battling with a neck injury.
Schreuder's thumb, Van Wyks' wrist and Aplon's elbow have all healed, whilst De Jongh has recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
Prop Brok Harris (AC Joint) has undergone surgery and will be out of action until late August, whilst hooker Scarra Ntubeni (broken foot) will be available for the first round of the Currie Cup and prop Oli Kebble (ankle - syndesmosis) is due back in late August/early September.
Centres Damian de Allende and Jean de Villiers (both knee injuries) are still out for another four weeks.
Prop Frans Malherbe (concussion) is making good progress after showing concussion symptoms for some time. He won't feature in Super Rugby competition again but should be good to go for the Currie Cup.
Prop Steven Kitshoff (knee and ankle injuries) will not play rugby again in 2014.:"
I spoke to Frans Malhrbe's father this morning and he told me that Frans will only start playing when the CC kicks off - which s basically what the article above said.
Dessite the comments of De Villiers that he will be back in two weeks time - it is clear that it would not happen. Maybe Meyer is putting some pressure on the Stormers to delay his start by another two weeks.
Other than the long term injuries - I think most players will be back for the start of the CC an d obviously also for the RC start.
