The Stormers have been given a timely Springboks boost ahead of a busy festive period after a plethora of injuries have ravaged the squad.
John Dobson’s side tackles Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop this weekend in the Investec Champions Cup but will do so without the services of star fly-half Manie Libbok.
The Springboks playmaker was taken to hospital last week after sustaining a horrible concussion which led to a red card for Toulon replacement Yannick Youyoutte. He has been ruled out of the clash against Quins this weekend but there is some positive news on the injury front for the Stormers.
Stormers injury update
After the defeat to Toulon, Dobson rued the growing injury list that the side were contending with, saying that “the truth is we are running out of cattle.”
However, defence coach Norman Laker has now given some positive news with Springboks lock Salmaan Moerat available for selection this weekend. The return of the second-rower who captained the Boks earlier this year is a massive boost to the pack that is missing the likes of Steven Kitshoff, Evan Roos, Sti Sithole, Frans Malherbe, Ben-Jason Dixon and Deon Fourie.
“It was tough game injury-wise,” Laker said of the clash against Toulon.
“I think the last few games we have had to make nine first-half substitutions, which makes things difficult after a lot of planning went into the make-up of our benches.
“Salmaan Moerat is back and available for selection, Deon Fourie and Evan Roos not yet and Sacha won’t be ready either. The rest are all fit and ready to go.”
On Moerat, he added: “He is amazing. He is a quality person, human being and leader so it means a lot to the team.”
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu update
With Damian Willemse also on the sidelines until next year, the Stormers are a bit short at fly-half but Laker issued more promising news with Springboks rookie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu set to return before the end of the year. However, it will not be this weekend.
“He is allowed to start training from tomorrow [Wednesday] onwards,” Laker explained. “But the doctor said another week will do him good.”
This means that the Stormers will need to rely on some of the more youthful and inexperienced players in their squad in the coming weeks. Notably, Jurie Matthee who is likely to feature in the number 10 jumper against Quins where he could face off against Marcus Smith.
Laker did not delve too deep into the touring group but confirmed that Matthee is “100 per cent fit and has travelled with the team”.
“At the moment we do have a lot of injuries, we can’t look away from it. It will take one or two youngsters to make it into a match-day 23 or just train with the team to make sure we have the numbers,” he added.
“One or two of them will get an opportunity to prove what they’ve shown us in the Currie Cup.”
After their clash with Harlequins, the Stormers have back-to-back URC SA derbies against the Lions and Sharks to close out 2024.
READ MORE: Springboks: 33 stats and facts from 2024 as Rassie Erasmus’ men enjoy record-breaking year
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/springboks-rookie-nears-return-after-manie-libbok-setback-as-stormers-get-some-cattle-back-for-harlequins
