WP lock Ruan Botha will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the victory over the Pumas.

Coach Allister Coetzee was counting the cost of the bonus-point victory on Monday, after fellow lock Jean Kleyn (shoulder) and fullback Cheslin Kolbe (back) were also ruled out for between three and four weeks.

Michael van der Spuy sat out of Monday's session with a hip problem, but should be training again by the end of the week.

The loss of the Botha, though, will hit hardest. Having missed most of last season with an ankle injury, Botha was rediscovering the form that made him a Junior Springbok in 2012, and one of the country's brightest prospects.

'It’s all part of the game,' said Coetzee philosophically. 'I have faith in those guys coming in – despite the initial disappointment of losing Ruan, Jean and Cheslin. In Cheslin’s case, a vertebrae injury sounds worse than it is. But I am hopeful of him [Cheslin] still playing a part in the Currie Cup if his injury responds well.'

With both Botha and Kleyn ruled out through injury, Coetzee will be pleased to have Rynhardt Elstadt back from suspension, while utility back Dillyn Leyds has started training with the squad after returning from Perth.

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