Ex Supersport
The DHL Stormers were boosted on Monday by the positive news that skipper Duane Vermeulen’s condition that caused his neck to spasm is not regarded as serious at this point and that there is a good chance he will be ready to play in the Vodacom Super Rugby playoffs.
The Springbok No 8 was withdrawn from the South African conference decider against the Emirates Lions at Newlands last weekend at the 11th hour after suffering a severe neck spasm following the captain’s practice on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday night the Stormers medical staff were not sure how serious the injury was, and admitted there was a chance he may have to undergo surgery.
But the good news on Monday was that surgery is not necessary and Vermeulen’s absence from the playing field is not expected to be long enough to impact on his availability to play for the Boks in the World Cup, which kicks off in England in the second half of September.
The Stormers are through to the Finals Series by virtue of wrapping up the South African conference when they drew with the Lions at Newlands last weekend.
They will play a semifinal if they beat the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Saturday and the two Australian challengers, the Waratahs and Brumbies, both lose their remaining match of the league phase of the season.
However, it is highly likely that the Stormers will play in the first round of the Finals Series, effectively a quarterfinal round, by finishing third, and with three matches to win in order for them to clinch the Super Rugby title, they will be encouraged by the prospect of Vermeulen being available after he received good news from his visit to a neurosurgeon on Monday.
According to Stormers doctor Jason Suter, Vermeulen will seek a second neurological opinion on Tuesday, but the initial prognosis after his first visit to a specialist was good.
“Duane saw a neurosurgeon on Monday and the neurosurgeon has given us the positive feedback that he continues to improve and that he still shows no signs of specific optic nerve irritation,” said Suter.
“After reviewing the MRI with his radiology colleagues, the neurosurgeon is confident that the disc bulge is old and has not changed from previous scans, and is not the cause of the severe neck spasm. He has recommended no surgical management and Duane will undergo extensive physiotherapy over the next 10 days.
The neurosurgeon has also indicated that there is no risk of exacerbating the injury and feels that Duane will be able to play in the Super Rugby playoffs.”
Suter added that the Stormers medical team will continue to manage Vermeulen and that he will obtain a second neurological opinion just to ensure he is given all possible input on his injury and how to manage it.
