Stormers coach provides bleak injury update
INJURY UPDATE: Stormers XXIII head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb provided a bleak injury report following their 7-29 defeat to the Pumas in Round Five last week.
Two experienced players will be sidelined for an extended period, which could affect the United Rugby Championship side’s pre-season preparations, whilst the other five players are either sidelined on a short-term basis or with uncertain timelines of return.
*Also read: New halfback combination and captain for Stormers to tackle Bulls
Dawson-Squibb explained the nature of the injuries and when the respective players will come into contention for selection again.
“Unfortunately Keke [Morabe] took a shoulder directly to his cheek so he will be out for eight weeks,” he said.
“JL [Jean-Luc du Plessis] had to have surgery on his hand, so he will be out for at least six weeks.
“We’re uncertain regarding Stefan Ungerer’s injury, so I can’t give an update on him. Wandile Mlaba will be back next week or the week after, so it’s not too long-term.
“JC Mars is only out for a week. We were hoping that Dylan Muller would be back, but his injury didn’t clear up, so I’m assuming he’ll be back next week, as does Gary Porter.”
There’s still uncertainty regarding Stefan Ungerer’s injury who walked off the Mbombela Stadium pitch in visible pain with his forearm wrapped up in his jersey.
The severity of his injury is still unknown at this stage.
“They suspected it was a shoulder injury of some sort, but then upon scans it doesn’t seem like it.
“He just has some neural pain from the neck, so his timeline of recovery is unknown at this stage.”
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
