Five returnees for Stormers despite latest setbacks

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have suffered three injury blows following their 14-24 Champions Cup defeat to Toulon in Gqeberha.

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Manie Libbok, Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon all made their way back to Cape Town with the Stormers squad on Sunday after suffering injuries in their Champions Cup opener to Toulon at Nelson Mandela Stadium.

The trio are set to miss the trip in a must-win clash against Harlequins this coming Saturday at Twickenham Stoop.

Libbok (concussion) and Morabe (leg fracture) were both hospitalised in Gqeberha for observation and returned to the team hotel on Saturday evening.

Morabe will undergo surgery on Monday which will rule him out for a long-term period, while Libbok and Dixon will be reassessed after 12 days as per HIA (head injury assessment) protocols.

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The good news for the Cape side is that Salmaan Moerat (knee), Sti Sithole, Frans Malherbe (both ankle), Deon Fourie (knee) and Sasha Feinburg-Mngomezulu (concussion) are all expected to make their return before the end of the year.

Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff (neck), Evan Roos (shoulder), Dan Du Plessis, Ben Loader (both knee) and Damian Willemse (groin) all continue their rehab and are scheduled to return to play in 2025.