Krige out of Bulls tie

CAPE TOWN -- The Stormers will be without captain Corne Krige for Saturday's Super 12 rugby match against the Bulls at Loftus.

Krige is still overcoming a back injury. "Whilst the injury is not considered serious, symptoms have persisted and on medical advice Krige will remain sidelined and be allowed to recover fully," the Stormers said in a statement yesterday.

Krige reiterated that there was no choice in whether to play or not. "It is not simply rest. It's forced rest because I have to recover from injury.

"Whilst I am disappointed, no team is built around one man and I am very confident Selborne and the team will deliver," he added.

Coach Gert Smal said the decision had been taken in the interests of all parties involved.

"Corne is an integral part of the Stormers.

"We can't allow him to be written off in one week and not make the rest of the Super 12," added Smal.

Pierre Uys is Krige's replacement, while Gus Theron will play next to Robbie Fleck in midfield after De Wet Barry was ruled out earlier in the week.

Stormers: Lean van Dyk, Egon Seconds, Robbie Fleck, Gus Theron, Leon van den Heever, Werner Greeff, Bolla Conradie, Adri Badenhorst, Pierre Uys, Hendrik Gerber, Hottie Louw, Selborne Boome (captain), Faan Rautenbach, Pieter Dixon, Daan Human. Replacements: Tjoepie van den Heever, Cobus Visagie, Eddie Andrews, Quinton Davids, Jaco Gouws, Neil de Kock, Grant Esterhuizen. -- Sapa