Stormers and Springbok fans and coaching staff would have breathed a sigh of relief this weekend with the news that the injury sustained by Jean de Villiers is not that serious.

De Villiers took a heavy knock to the head four minutes into the second half of the 15-20 Super 14 loss to the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday and he was stretchered off and taken to hospital immediately.

It was feared that he would be out for a long time.

However, Stormers media manager Frikkie Erasmus said on Sunday allayed those fears.

Even though De Villiers was taken to hospital for tests on Saturday, he was later discharged.

“I have spoken to the doctor and he has reassured me that it is nothing serious,” Erasmus said.

“Jean will be playing again as soon as he feels comfortable.

“We don’t know yet how long he will be out, but he was just taken to hospital as precaution and the tests were also precautionary.

“He is stiff and sore but other than that it is nothing serious. It is definitely not concussion and he suffered more from whiplash. We will be monitoring his situation during the week.”

* There was no immediate news on the other Springbok, lock Victor Matfield, who also suffered an injury at the weekend.

Matfield’s shoulder injury, suffered in the Bulls’ 33-20 win over the Reds in Pretoria, looked the more serious of the two.

With the arrival of the British & Irish Lions in just under three months, the last thing the Bok coach needs now is long-term injuries to his top players – with Matfield and De Villiers both vital cogs in the Bok mix.

There will be concern in the Bulls and Bok camps over the shoulder injury picked up by Matfield, who tumbled to earth while trying to collect a restart in the second half.

He was treated on the field and tried to stay on, but later left the field and was replaced by Danie Rossouw.

Initial reports suggested that he had damaged his AC joint and could be sidelined for a long time.

The medical staff will have a better idea of the full extend of the injury on Sunday or Monday, but it is not looking good.

Source + Pic: rugby365.com

Tags: jean de villiers, stormers, Super 14