VIDEO: The Stormers team Dobson can select from injured players
Stormers coach John Dobson put up a brave face, but the franchise’s growing injury list is beginning to take on alarming proportions.
Dobson, speaking ahead of the #BIG North-South derby encounter with the Bulls on Saturday, said he has not lost any sleep over the injury situation.
“The one thing we spent last season doing, was trying to build our depth, expand the size of our squad and prove that the first year wasn’t a Cinderella thing,” Dobson said.
“To be honest, if this was two years ago, we would be a lot more tense and worried.
“We have such faith in the guys coming in, that we’ve built this squad.
“We are, by nature, a resilient team.
“We fight and you will see that tomorrow [Saturday].
“We are not going away.
“The way the team has handled everything, we are resilient.
“We will fight. That is in the DNA of this team.
“I haven’t lost any sleep over it.
“We have good plans and good players coming in.
“That’s because of the work we put in last season.”
However, as Dobson went through the injury list, it started to sound like an alternative team to the one facing the Bulls.
(WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson reveals exactly how many players are currently on the injury list and for how long…)
New loosehead prop recruit Lizo Gqoboka is sidelined till the middle of February with a torn pectoral muscle.
Hooker JJ Kotze could return by next week, but has missed a chunk of the season already.
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe is struggling with a ‘bulging disc’ in his lower back and his return to play date is uncertain.
Lock and captain Salmaan Moerat, out with a pectoral muscle injury, won’t feature before March next year.
Fellow lock Gary Porter will be sidelined for another ‘month or so’ with an ankle injury.
No.8 Evan Roos will be sidelined for eight weeks with the jaw fracture he suffered in last week’s Stade Rochelais win.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies was also injured against the French outfit last week, but should be available for next week’s URC encounter with the Sharks.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be sidelined for a few more weeks and miss the European games in January with an ankle injury.
Centre Dan du Plessis could return from his quad injury next week.
Former Sevens superstar Seabelo Senatla is making enough progress from the injuries sustained in a car accident to suggest he will be able to play again – it just won’t be this season.
Wing Ben Loader (AC joint) will return in January in time for the European games, while Courtnall Skosan is also sidelined for another week or two.
Fullback Warrick Gelant suffered a groin injury last week and his return to play date is also uncertain.
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