Stormers sweating on Bok duo's availability
INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers are waiting with bated breath on two of their Springbok stars ahead of their Round Nine United Rugby Championship clash against the Bulls.
Backline maestros Damain Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who missed out due to injury against the Lions a fortnight ago, are still in doubt for the big North-South derby against their arch rivals.
Stormers defence coach Norman Laker said they’ll know by the end of Monday whether Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be available for this weekend’s clash.
Should both be unfit to play, a lot will rest on the shoulders of young flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who has grown his game massively this season to dictate play.
There’s also a potential centre crisis should Willemse be unavailable, with Ruhan Nel ruled out between six and eight weeks with a Grade Two calf strain before the Lions match.
Rookie inside centre Jonathan Roche and utility back Wandisile Simelane both suffered a hand fracture against the Lions, and it is unclear whether they’ll be ready for the Bulls match.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that Roche’s injury seemed a bit more serious than Simelane’s post the Lions clash.
“Both centres broke bones in their hands, but I don’t know how serious [it is].
“Johnny’s [injury] looks quite substantial, but I’m not sure about Wandi [Simelane].”
Daniel du Plessis is also unavailable after suffering a knee injury ahead of the La Rochelle clash, which could force Dobson’s hand against the Bulls.
Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg is an option to play at outside centre, which is the position he made his URC debut in against Connacht in 2022.
It could get tricky in the No.12 position, but youngster Luke Burger could potentially be in line for a baptism of fire debut, with Bok fullback Warrick Gelant and wing Leolin Zas covering centre should the papaya strike the fan with injuries during the match.
