Roos' injury: A surprise 'if he plays for the Stormers again'

REACTION: It was a case of when it rains it pours for the Stormers in Belfast on Friday.

It was a trip they would want to forget, as the United Rugby Championship (URC) title-holders suffered a 5-35 defeat to the Ulster in the Round 13 clash.

Already without their rested stars, the visitors were dealt multiple injury blows – with Evan Roos headlining the growing injury concerns.

The Springbok returned to the Stormers starting XV after a two-month lay-off due to a rib injury he sustained in November while on international duty.

Unfortunately for Capetonians, the 23-year-old’s return lasted just over 20 minutes as he limped off the field after a breakdown collision where he was croc-rolled out of the ruck by Springbok Duane Vermeulen, while Ulster flank Nick Timoney also joined the clean-out.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed that Roos’ season might be over.

“He [Roos] will be gone for a while, unfortunately,” Dobson said.

“It was a horrible croc roll and he rolled out with a nasty injury. Not sure if it’s a knee ligament rupture of the groin.”

He added: “Evan is on crutches but I hope it does not affect his international aspirations.

“However I will be surprised if he plays for the Stormers again.”

#URC REPORT: The Capetonians were outplayed in Belfast 👇#Ulster #Stormers #ULSvSTO https://t.co/Ry5Re6b9b2

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 27, 2023

No talk of ‘medical jokers’

Aside from Roos, the Stormers will be sweating over a couple of players.

Loose forward Junior Pokomela and fullback Clayton Blommetjies were late withdrawals from the starting XV.

The Capetonians then lost hooker JJ Kotze in the fourth minute after a head clash, while flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis left with a ‘substantial concussion’ the coach conceded.

“Junior developed headaches on Thursday, he was concussed so the doctors obviously ruled him out,” Dobson said.

“Blommetjies had some infection in his groin, and by Friday afternoon he could not walk.

“During the match, JJ had a concussion and then the substantial concussion to Jean-Luc.”

Despite the growing injury list, Dobson remains reluctant to sign some medical jokers as reinforcements.

“Our injury list is getting big right now,” Dobson said, adding: “But I don’t know enough at this point to talk about getting in reinforcements.

“The key thing for us was at lock that’s why we signed Ruben van Heerden.

“Neethling Fouche, Gary Porter, Deon Fourie and Hacjivah Dayimani will return next week.

“Manie Libbok and Paul De Wet are in Cape Town, while Seabelo Senatla is back this week so we don’t need any reinforcements.

“Hopefully we will be okay.”