Currie Cup injury toll leaves Stormers short of key players again

The Stormers’ Currie Cup campaign has suffered another injury setback, with loose forward Keke Morabe potentially unavailable for eight weeks after being hurt against the Pumas. Captain and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis is also expected to miss at least six weeks following hand surgery.

Morabe was among five Stormers players injured in last week’s defeat in Nelspruit. The latest setback is particularly difficult for the loose forward, who has endured repeated injury problems over the past three seasons.

Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer was also forced off in that match. Initial concern centred on his shoulder, but further examination identified neural pain from his neck instead. His absence is not expected to be serious if the issue settles and he is cleared to return.

The Stormers already began this period without scrumhalf Imad Khan, who has a serious knee injury, and veteran Dewaldt Duvenage, who is recovering from a broken arm. Wandile Mlaba could be back within one or two weeks, while outside back JC Mars is also close to returning after another week. Lock Gary Porter and fullback Dylan Miller are nearing comebacks as well.

The injuries have left the team especially thin in the second row ahead of Friday’s meeting with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria. Gerbrandt Grobler is injured, while Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden have departed. JD Schickerling is unavailable through injury, and BJ Dixon is with the Springboks. Luan Botha, Dylan de Leeuw and Louw Nel remain options for the lineout.

The Stormers are sixth in the Currie Cup standings with two rounds remaining before the semi-finals. The loss to the Pumas therefore came at a costly stage, not only damaging their position but also removing several players from the immediate selection picture. The coaching staff had intended to use the competition to provide opportunities, but the number of injuries has sharply reduced their room for rotation.