VIDEO: Dobson's solution for Kitshoff conundrum
‘The market is done for this season’
That one sentence encapsulates the conundrum Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson is faced with, following the news of double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff’s neck injury.
Kitshoff, who arrived back in South Africa after a season-ending knee injury during Ulster’s Challenge Cup quarterfinal against Clermont back in April, has played just over 100 minutes since returning from Ireland.
He started in the 39-30 Currie Cup Round Nine win over Pumas in Cape Town and played 68 minutes.
A week later he came off the bench at half-time in the 29-37 loss to Griquas in Kimberley, adding another 40 minutes to his legs.
However, the trip to Kimberley proved costly and Dobson confirmed that Kitshoff will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a neck injury.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted that the absence of Kitshoff has left them with a gaping hole in the roster, especially the absence of available loosehead props.
(WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson discloses his solution to the loss of Steven Kitshoff….)
“There aren’t many Steven Kitshoffs floating around or hanging on trees,” Dobson told a media round table.
“He is at a different level.”
Leon Lyons has been recalled to Cape Town after a Currie Cup season on loan to Griquas in Kimberley.
Sti Sithole is also fit again, after a season riddled with injuries, while Dobson feels they have a promising youngster in Vernon Matongo.
“It [our prop resources] are thin,” Dobson said, adding: “You don’t replace Steven Kitshoff at this stage of the season.
“We had the best scrum differential in the competition last year without Kitsy [Kitshoff], while we also have a ‘promising youngster’ called Brok Harris – who will just have to go again.
“That is cards we have been dealt.
“I just hope Steven Kitshoff is nearer six to eight weeks, rather than anything longer than that.
“There’s no prospect of us finding an uncontracted loosehead prop that can make a difference.
“You would rather back the youngsters – like Vernon [Matongo, 22] and Leon [Lyons, 25], rather than go to the market for a player that won’t make a difference.”
Other looseheads still on the injury list include Lizo Gqoboka and Ali Vermaak.
Kitshoff, 32, was one of three seasoned forwards the Stormers recruited in the off-season to bolster their forward resources.
The others are lock JD Schickerling, 29, with 120-odd first-class games to his credit, and Dave Ewers, 33, with more than 200 games for Exeter in the English premiership.
However, the loss of Kitshoff, with 83 Tests worth of experience, will be the coach’s biggest headache.
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