Loose forward is a flashpoint for Stormers boss John Dobson, who has revealed at least one long-term absentee among several injured back-row players at the club.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against the Bristol Bears at Cape Town Stadium, he admitted the Stormers were dealing with “a bit of a crisis”.
Springbok No 8 Evan Roos has recovered from a hamstring injury to replace the in-form Hacjivah Dayimani (concussion) and will start alongside Siya Kolisi and Paul de Villiers this week.
Dobson described being able to replace Dayimani with Roos – a late withdrawal from last week’s URC derby win – as fortuitous, but news on fellow Bok BJ Dixon and Marcel Theunissen was less promising.
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“Loose forwards seem to be our injury flashpoint so far this season,” Dobson told the media on Tuesday. “This week we’re without Hacjivah, Marcel, Ruan Ackermann and Keke Morabe, so it’s been tough.
“I don’t know where [Dayimani] is with his return to play, and I don’t know if he’s back next week.
“We’ve got a bit of a crisis at loose forward. We’re just lucky we can still field a side of this quality with Deon Fourie on the bench. It’s a good reflection on our squad, and this is when we start to get tested to see that we can compete on two fronts.”
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Theunissen is set for three to four months on the sidelines after back surgery while Dixon is still suffering delayed concussion symptoms, with no clear return date.
Morabe, last seen in action in the Currie Cup, has returned to training. Ackermann may also come back into contention.
“Marcel is out long term after an operation, and I think it’s three or four months. BJ is suffering from delayed concussion symptoms, so there’s no clarity yet. He could be back next week, but I don’t think that’s likely. He’s at least a couple of weeks away.
“Keke is back training again and Ruan Ackermann should be back next week. I must say, we look forward to the return of those guys.”
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Dobson has also rejigged the Stormers’ run-on front row – Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi will pack down either side of JJ Kotzé, with André-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Zachary Porthen set to make an impact from the bench.
The selection of Sandi and Porthen was “horses for courses”, the coach elaborating: “We’re aware of how Bristol play, so these are two fast-moving props.
“They won’t change our scrum culture. That’s the first thing we can lean on, so they can deliver on that and then run their way out of it.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Dobbo relieved for Roos return amid ‘crisis’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Loose forward is a flashpoint for Stormers boss John Dobson, who has revealed at least one long-term absentee among several injured back-row players at the club.
The post Dobbo relieved for Roos return amid ‘crisis’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
