Injured Stormers captain faces five-month lay-off

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat will be out of action for up to five months, head coach John Dobson confirmed on Friday.

Moerat has been struggling with injury in recent years and his latest will see him miss a crucial part of the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship campaign.

The former Junior Springbok sustained an injury during the URC opener against the Lions at Ellis Park last week.

He left the field in the 26th minute with a pectoral injury.

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche will lead the Stormers at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday in the absence of the regular skipper Moerat.

Speaking to reporters Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed, the lock had surgery and is expected to be out for five months – meaning his return window would be in February or March 2024.

“He [Moerat] had an operation on his pectoral because it was completely torn,” Dobson said ahead of the clash against Scarlets on Saturday.

“I know of guys they say five to six months, but I’ve heard of guys that come back after three to four months.

“So the best case for us is four, maybe five months.”

Adre Smith will replace Moerat in the second row.

“We are very lucky, Adre is a very similar player to Salmaan.

“Body movement, very physical and both live on the edge. Really a like-for-like replacement.”

The coach also revealed that Hacjivah Dayimani will not make the start of next week’s four-match tour of Europe because his partner is expecting.

The Stormers will face Scarlets on Saturday before they embark on a four-week tour to Europe.