Just three weeks after returning from an agonising two-year injury layoff, Isuzu Southern Kings loose forward CJ Velleman is back in the wars.
After making his long awaited comeback off the bench against Glasgow Warriors in Port Elizabeth last month, Velleman suffered an injury to his right shoulder against Benetton Treviso in Italy on Saturday.
Kings doctor Gershwin Kortje said Velleman would be seeing a shoulder specialist for further treatment.
A succession of cruel injuries meant the star fetcher did not play a single match for the Kings in Super Rugby in 2017, after starring in 2016.
After making good progress in his recovery from a longterm knee injury sustained in 2016, Velleman suffered a setback when he damaged the same knee at training in 2017.
He is one of a number of players who could be doubtful for the Kings’ next home game, against Scarlets on October 26.
Captain Michael Willemse and lock Bobby de Wee also have shoulder problems that require attention.
Veteran prop Schalk Ferreira was not considered for the Benetton match because of a broken nose, while loose forward Bakkies Brown is seeing a foot specialist this week.
Kings medical staff said prop Martin Dreyer underwent foot surgery, which was successful, and he will start his rehabilitation next week.
Scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius has recovered well after surgery on his injured foot, but still has a few weeks of rehabilitation left before he can be selected.
Another No 9, Poerie Schoeman, has recovered well from an ankle injury.
Fijian Meli Rokoua is expected to arrive in Port Elizabeth this week to add additional punch to the Kings’ back division.
Although little is known of him, Rokoua received rave reviews after a stint in Portugal.
Dubbed the “Flying Fijian”, he was highly rated when he played for the Agronomia Club and he is also an accomplished sevens player.
Another player expected in Port Elizabeth this week is Cheetahs centre Tertius Kruger, who is expected to be in contention for the Scarlets clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Kings have won only one of their opening six Guinness PRO14 matches and will be keen to exploit homeground advantage against the Scarlets and in their clash with Leinster on November 4.