Stormers director of rugby John Dobson’s depth and reinforcements for next season have taken another blow with long-term injuries to key players in the Currie Cup, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Scrumhalf Imad Khan is already sidelined with a serious knee injury and veteran Dewaldt Duvenage has a broken arm. Now, the Stormers XXIII have lost flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis and loose forward Keke Morabe for the rest of the competition.
They are two of five players laid low in last week’s defeat by the Pumas, including scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer.
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Speaking ahead of Friday’s clash against the Vodacom Bulls XV in Pretoria, coach Tom Dawson-Squibb confirmed that Morabe could be out for eight weeks while Du Plessis, who previously hurt his knee in round one, faces a six-week layoff.
“Unfortunately, Keke took a shoulder directly to his cheek, so I think he’ll be out for eight weeks,” Dawson-Squibb said. “JL had to have surgery on his hand, so I’d imagine he’ll be out for at least six weeks.
“They initially suspected that Stefan had a shoulder injury, but the scans suggest it isn’t that. There’s some neural pain from his neck. If they can clear that up, it shouldn’t be too serious.”
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Back-rower Wandile Mlaba could return in a week or two, outside back JC Mars after one week, and lock Gary Porter and fullback Dylan Miller are also close to returns.
But the injury toll has left the Stormers short in the second row.
“We had Gerbrandt Grobler signed, and he’s injured. Then Gary Porter gets injured. We’ve had a little bit of bad luck,” Dawson-Squibb said.
“Salmaan Moerat has left, Ruben van Heerden has left and JD Schickerling is injured, and BJ Dixon, who can cover lock, is with the Springboks. You’re taking some lock stocks out.”
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He believes there are still options for the lineout, with Luan Botha having called the shots for Maties and Dylan de Leeuw and Louw Nel also able to contribute.
The Stormers’ defeat in Nelspruit left them sixth on the table with two rounds before the semi-finals.
“It’s the nature of the beast, isn’t it? Last week was exceptional in my career; to have five guys go off in 50 minutes, all with injuries that ruled them out for the following week,” Dawson-Squibb said.
“But, we want to give guys opportunities in this competition. Sometimes you do it through rotation, and sometimes injuries force it.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
