Rugby
KweséESPN staff 6y

Wing worries for Stormers sees Barry recalled

South Africa's Stormers have recalled Craig Barry from a loan spell at the Cheetahs, due to a crisis on the wing ahead of their Super Rugby clash with the Blues at Newlands on Saturday.

In a flurry of injuries in the wide positions, Sevens star Seabelo Senatla has been ruled out for six weeks, while fellow wing Sergeal Petersen is a long-term absentee with a knee problem.

An injury to fullback SP Marais would have made it likely that Dillyn Leyds made the move from the wing to cover that position, but Barry could now be handed that role.

Barry was on loan to the PRO14 team‚ with the understanding that if needed he would be recalled to the union where he is contracted.

"We are hearing that Seabelo Senatla could be out for six weeks," coach Robbie Fleck told reporters.

"But it is what it is. Fortunately, we have JJ Engelbrecht who can cover both centre and wing, and we have called Craig Barry back from the Cheetahs."

Fleck's planning has not been helped by a bad case of 'flu that has spread through the squad.

He added: "Last week, before we played the Highlanders, quite a few guys were crocked by flu and now quite a few other players and management members have been linked on to that.

"It has been a really strong dose of flu that has hit us. Pieter-Steph du Toit passed his concussion tests last week but was then ruled out of sitting on the bench in Dunedin because of flu.

"Damian de Allende also had flu and so did SP. Now a couple of other boys have it and are resting up in bed. It hangs around for a week so it is problematic.

"The guys pitched for a training session and a meeting [on Tuesday] but we had to send half the management members home as well as a good few players so it was pointless doing anything."

After winning their Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares of Argentina at home, the Stormers have lost three successive matches on the road to the Waratahs, Crusaders, and Highlanders.

TEAMS FOR NEWLANDS

Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 Craig Barry.

Blues: TBA

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