In a post-match scene that blended triumph with tragedy, the Stormers' crushing 34-0 victory over the Scarlets was overshadowed by a severe injury to their seasoned flanker, Deon Fourie. The injury spectacle unfolded on a gloomy Friday night in Lllanelli, turning what should have been a celebratory locker room into a wellspring of sorrow.
Coach John Dobson, visibly affected by the turn of events, shared the grim details.
"Deon’s devastated. A lot of tears in the change room, Deon was in tears. It’s a serious bicep injury that will require surgery, so he’ll go home,"
Dobson revealed. The emotional toll of the injury on the team was palpable, highlighting the close-knit nature of this squad. "It’s an emotional change room – as much as the win is pleasing, it shows how tight this team is that they’re so upset about Deon," he added.
The injury to Fourie was particularly disheartening as he had only just returned from a previous leg injury, making his comeback brief and unfortunate. Further dampening the team’s spirits, Dobson confirmed another setback in the form of tighthead prop Sazi Sandi also facing a spell on the sidelines. "Sazi will get scanned and we’ll see where he stands, but for now he’s out," Dobson stated, underlining the challenge posed by the absence of key players in the front row.
Despite these injuries, Dobson remained optimistic about their scrum capabilities. "We’ve got a great scrum culture and guys like Zach Porthen coming through. We’ve got Hencus van Wyk, Corne Welbach, Oli Kebble who can swing, so we should be able to keep our scrum culture going," he explained, showcasing confidence in his team’s depth.
The Stormers, unbeaten after the first three rounds and having kept their opponents scoreless in two games, will look to extend their winning streak in Italy, facing Zebre and Benetton next. Their ability to navigate through these injuries will test their resilience and depth, qualities that have so far painted their season with strokes of dominance and unity.
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In a post-match scene that blended triumph with tragedy, the Stormers' crushing 34-0 victory over the Scarlets was overshadowed by a severe injury to their seasoned flanker, Deon Fourie. The injury spectacle unfolded on a gloomy Friday night in Lllanelli, turning what should have been a celebratory locker room into a wellspring of sorrow.
Coach John Dobson, visibly affected by the turn of events, shared the grim details.
"Deon’s devastated. A lot of tears in the change room, Deon was in tears. It’s a serious bicep injury that will require surgery, so he’ll go home,"
Dobson revealed. The emotional toll of the injury on the team was palpable, highlighting the close-knit nature of this squad. "It’s an emotional change room – as much as the win is pleasing, it shows how tight this team is that they’re so upset about Deon," he added.The injury to Fourie was particularly disheartening as he had only just returned from a previous leg injury, making his comeback brief and unfortunate. Further dampening the team’s spirits, Dobson confirmed another setback in the form of tighthead prop Sazi Sandi also facing a spell on the sidelines. "Sazi will get scanned and we’ll see where he stands, but for now he’s out," Dobson stated, underlining the challenge posed by the absence of key players in the front row.
Despite these injuries, Dobson remained optimistic about their scrum capabilities. "We’ve got a great scrum culture and guys like Zach Porthen coming through. We’ve got Hencus van Wyk, Corne Welbach, Oli Kebble who can swing, so we should be able to keep our scrum culture going," he explained, showcasing confidence in his team’s depth.
The Stormers, unbeaten after the first three rounds and having kept their opponents scoreless in two games, will look to extend their winning streak in Italy, facing Zebre and Benetton next. Their ability to navigate through these injuries will test their resilience and depth, qualities that have so far painted their season with strokes of dominance and unity.