De Allende struck down in Japan

De Allende has been playing in Japan's Top League for the Kintetsu Liners alongside fellow Springbok Pierre Spies.

The inside centre was one of the stand-out players for both the Stormers and the Springboks in 2015, so the news will come as a major blow for the Cape franchise.

De Allende was due back in Cape Town at the end of January, but could be sidelined until May.

The powerful midfielder was named in the extended Springbok Sevens training squad, but could now miss out on the World Series completely.

With Jean de Villiers having joined the Leicester Tigers the man likely to take the Stormers No.12 jersey is forgotten Bok Jaco Taute.