The Stormers have suffered a massive blow to their Super Rugby season with the loss of captain Jean de Villiers who could be out for two months.

De Villiers has injured ligaments in his hand and could only return after the Springboks test series against England in June.

Die Burger newspaper reports that De Villiers could be out for a couple of months and that Wing Danie Poolman has been sent out to Australia as replacement.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee must now decide who he will make captain as Schalk Burger is only expected back from his knee injury in May.

Andries Bekker is injured and will miss this week's match so eighth man Duane Vermeulen, hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage may have to step us a captain.

The Stormers are currently preparing to face Super Rugby Champions the Reds in Brisbane on Friday and have not yet released an official statement on De Villiers.