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Stormers injuries: Dobson fears the worst

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson delivered a bleak injury assessment in the wake of his team’s first European Champions Cup win in Cape Town.

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The Stormers recorded their maiden victory with a moral-boosting 34-14 win over London Irish in front of a very cheerful Cape Town crowd on Saturday.

However, the win proved to be a costly affair for the Stormers.

Already sitting with a long injury list which includes Evan Roos, Ernst van Rhyn and Adre Smith, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cape Town team added lock Salmaan Moerat (knee), centre Ruhan Nel (calf) and wing Leolin Zas (calf) as the latest casualties.

Speaking to reporters after the Round two match, Dobson revealed it is likely that the trio could be out of action for a lengthy period.

“You will remember from Stormers days in the past, there always seemed to be a bad run in a certain position,” coach John Dobson said after the match.

“It was at flyhalf a few years ago when Demitri Catrakilis and Kurt Coleman were injured and then a bad scrumhalf run when Dylon Frylinck came in. Now it feels like some of those big forwards [are all injured]; Salmaan, Ernst [van Rhyn], Adre [Smith].

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“It was a good win, but it was expensive.”

The coach explained: “Salmaan [Moerat’s] is a serious injury – he is at the Sports Science hospital to undergo scans, so I can’t give you the exact nature of his injury, but it’s a consequential injury.

“Ruhan Nel has also been scanned [on Saturday] – I doubt he will play next week, Zas as well.

“While I can’t tell you the exact nature of the injuries, I know Zas also have a calf strain, and we have to wait.

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“It is going to be tough with the short turnaround, so let’s see.”

There was some positive news as the coach conceded that centre Dan du Plessis and utility back Alapati Leiua could be available for this weekend, and there is an outside chance of Evan Roos could return as well.

“Hopefully Du Plessis’ back, Alapati hopefully back,” Dobson said.

“We will see where Evan Roos is. I had a chat with him [on Friday], and will have a look at him on Monday.

“Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] may be another week. Scarra [Ntubeni] was meant to warm up [on Saturday], but he had a wedding – not his, I don’t think!

“Gary Porter is probably similar to Evan – I will check on him.”

The Stormers host the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship on Friday, December 23.

@Leezil07
@rugby365com

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