Livewire Isuzu Southern Kings lock Bobby de Wee will miss the rest of the Guinness PRO14 season after sustaining a serious shoulder injury against Benetton Treviso.
Apart from the loss of De Wee, Kings coach Deon Davids may be forced to find a new captain for their next game, against the Scarlets at home.
The good news is that loose forward CJ Velleman is expected to be fit for the Scarlets clash at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
“Though CJ injured his shoulder against Benetton, he will be ready for the next game,” Davids said.
“CJ was given off training on Tuesday because he is writing exams. But he will be back on Thursday and ready to go.”
De Wee was trying to put on a brave face at training on Tuesday, when he was forced to watch his teammates in action with his arm in a sling.
“I have had a setback and my scans show I will have to go in for an operation to fix my shoulder,” De Wee said.
“The operation is set for November 5 and unfortunately I will be out for about six months. I will only be back in May next year.
“I was standing in a ruck against Benetton and I could feel that my shoulder had popped out. I had gone on as a replacement after 62 minutes and my shoulder strained at 65 minutes.
“I continued to play for the rest of the game, but could not pick up my arm and I could feel that something was not right.
“I must say it was a bit sore. I was a bit stubborn and I could feel it when my shoulder popped out.
“At that stage I was hoping the adrenaline would take over, I would not feel it and it would sort itself out after the game.
“That was stupidity from my side and the medical team did say that.
“The muscle that tore is the one that lifts my arm.”
De Wee said he was planning to stay positive during his enforced absence.
“I have never had such a long layoff because of an injury, but I am confident that I have got what it takes to get back to my full form when I come back,” he said.
“I would not say that I am looking forward to the recovery period, but it is a good time for me to better myself in different aspects.
“I am looking at the positives, but standing at the side of the field is the most difficult for me. I will continue to contribute to the team in any way I can. ”
Coach Davids said he would have a clearer idea of the extent of Michael Willemse’s injury by the end of the week
“Michael will go for scans on his shoulder injury and then we will be better informed,” Davids said.
“I am a bit worried, because we do not know now the extent of the injury.
“Cheetahs hooker Jannes Snyman is here on trial to help us. We have to get some cover at hooker.
“Unfortunately, loose forward Bakkies Brown is out for a couple of weeks with his foot injury and hopefully he will be ready in January.”