Stormers boss paints bleak picture on Cobus Reinach setback
REACTION: The Stormers’ emphatic 48-12 United Rugby Championship victory over Glasgow Warriors may have sent them to the top of the table – but it came at a potentially heavy cost.
John Dobson’s men outclassed Franco Smith’s side, running in six tries to two in a dominant display that underlined their title credentials.
The result sees the Cape side leapfrog Glasgow at the URC summit, but the mood was tempered by concern over Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.
Reinach, who started at No.9, was forced off just before the hour mark after his leg became trapped in a ruck cleanout. The experienced halfback limped from the field, casting immediate doubt over his availability for the Stormers’ upcoming overseas tour.
Speaking after the match, Dobson did little to ease fears.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked about Reinach’s chances of heading to Ireland.
“He is in a brace but hasn’t been scanned yet.
“But I don’t see him coming back for a while.”
Dobson added: “It’s his knee – hopefully it is medial and not the ACL.
“I hope it’s not that bad for the Springboks, because it’s going to put us under a bit of pressure.
“I thought Cobus played his best game in a while today.
“After the hernia operation, he looked like a comeback, so he’s pretty upset in the changerooms.”
The Stormers now face an anxious wait ahead of their European leg, where they are set to take on Ulster on May 8, followed by Cardiff on May 15, before the play-offs.
For a side building momentum at the perfect time, Reinach’s injury could prove a significant setback.
