Sacha's return shrouded by uncertainty
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Question marks remain over the availability of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after the Stormers revealed that the injured Springbok flyhalf has undergone a "procedure".
The 22-year-old injured his shoulder in a derby win against the Sharks on 28 December, and has been ruled out to face Sale Sharks in a round 3 Investec Champions Cup clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
He reportedly damaged his sternoclavicular joint, which links the collarbone and sternum, but it is believed that there was no dislocation or fracture and told to rest.
Speaking during a Stormers conference on Friday, assistant coach Rito Hlungwani told reporters: "I don't have an accurate return to play at the moment [for Feinberg-Mngomezulu].
"He might have had to go for a little procedure so I'm not sure where he is now [with his recovery], but it's not going to be in the next week or two.
"Honestly, I won't be able to give an accurate synopsis [on his condition].
"In one of our meetings when the doctor came in, I heard him saying that [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] needed to go for a short procedure. I don't have details on that."
According to a Netwerk24 article, the eight-Test Bok playmaker would only need an MRI scan if the pain and swelling didn't go away.
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Last month was a frustrating period for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also left the field early against the Sharks in Durban due to concussion before limping off following a heavy tackle by Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakane on 21 December.
Hlungwani also addressed the fitness of veteran centre Ruhan Nel and hooker Joseph Dweba, who were overlooked for selection this week, while allaying fears around the absence of Bok flanker Ben-Jason Dixon.
"Ruhan is carrying a bit of a niggle but who better to replace him than a quality player in Wandisile Simelane, who hasn't got a lot of gametime lately," he said.
"Joseph is obviously still recovering from a hamstring injury; we could've pushed him this week but we thought it's better for us to give JJ [Kotze] a run and let him recover for an extra week.
"BJ is not injured. He was one of those guys who when we finished the URC last season he went straight to Boks, so he's one of those guys who hasn't had an opportunity to have his break.
"He's having that compulsory break and luckily it's a bit staggered this time. He's one of those tough players who it's never easy to not have him in the team, but he should be ready to go soon."
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Sacha's return shrouded by uncertainty appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
