The Stormers' ranks have taken a hit with the news that Deon Fourie, the seasoned back-rower, is expected to miss a chunk of the season after a serious knee mishap. The 39-year-old warrior went down with a severe injury during a clash with Ulster, thanks to a croc roll tackle by Iain Henderson. The injury occurred in a dramatic 38-38 draw in Belfast, leaving Fourie to limp back to Cape Town for scans that spelled bad news.
Stormers' director of rugby John Dobson didn't mince words about the severity of Fourie's condition.
"It’s a grade two or three medial, which is months,"
Dobson revealed, tempering expectations but thankfully ruling out an ACL nightmare which could have sidelined Fourie for up to nine months. Instead, the team is bracing for a three-month recovery period.Meanwhile, the Stormers are shaking things up in their backline as they prepare to face Cardiff in a crucial Vodacom URC clash at Arms Park. Dobson shared insights on the lineup changes, notably the near-miss inclusion of centre Ruhan Nel, who is still grappling with a calf issue.
"Ruhan is a pity. We hoped to have him ready for this game, but if it’s not 100%, if it goes again, he’s out for a long time,"
Dobson said, confirming Nel was hovering around 90% fitness.The upcoming game isn't just about the present but also the future, as the Stormers look to deepen their squad. Dobson is excited about giving more game time to Jonathan Roche and Suleiman Hartzenberg. "We think Johnny is special, he just needs a run," Dobson noted, highlighting the commitment to Roche's participation. For Hartzenberg, it’s another opportunity to prove he can be the solution on the wing.
The team is also buoyed by the return of Bok lock Salmaan Moerat, whose presence Dobson described as not just capacity building, but "infrastructure" enhancing. As the Stormers aim to secure a top-two finish in the league, Cardiff finds itself in a do-or-die scenario, needing a win to sneak into the playoffs for the first time.
Teams for the upcoming clash:
Stormers: Changes in the backline, Jonathan Roche and Suleiman Hartzenberg to play.
Cardiff: Forced into changes for the showdown.