The Stormers have been dealt a further blow heading into the second half of the Vodacom URC campaign with another key lock sidelined.
Hard-nosed forward Ruben van Heerden is the latest to be ruled out after undergoing thumb surgery. He’s expected to be sidelined for around three months, joining Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat on the long-term injury list.
Moerat recently underwent surgery on a toe injury and is only targeting a return in roughly four months’ time, depriving the Stormers of both leadership and physical presence in the engine room.
It’s not great timing. The Stormers are already under pressure after losing their last two URC matches to the Sharks without picking up a bonus point, and they resume their league campaign on 28 February with a high-stakes derby against the Lions in Johannesburg.
While Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach’s hernia surgery is expected to keep him out for about eight weeks, the lock situation is far more alarming. Where the Stormers once boasted enviable depth, they are now down to JD Schickerling and Adre Smith as their most established options in the second row.
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Alex Groves and Gary Porter provide cover, but questions remain about whether they can consistently deliver the physical edge required at URC level. Connor Evans has also been pressed into service at lock this season, though increasing his impact and intensity remains a challenge.
Head coach John Dobson could call on loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon to cover lock, but would be hesitant to break up the strong combination he’s formed so far this season with Paul de Villiers and Evan Roos as the first-choice loose trio.
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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