Vermeulen ruled out of play-off

Editor

Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen has been deemed unfit to return to action against the Brumbies in their knockout clash due to a neck injury.

The powerful Springbok back-row forward has not recovered and is set to miss his third straight fixture of the campaign at the business end.

Nizaam Carr has been filling the number eight jersey in Vermeulen's absence and it is expected that he will continue to do so alongside the returning Schalk Burger and Siya Kolisi for the pivotal game at Newlands Stadium on Saturday.

The Stormers made fourteen changes to their starting XV for last week's game against the Sharks and those rested players should return as the Capetonians look to book a trip to Sydney for the next stop of the Finals Series.