People's Post - Stormers under injury cloud

No less than five of the side’s first team players have either been ruled out of the game or deemed unlikely to start, after picking up injuries over the past two weeks.

Last week, the management team were hit by the news that tough lock Rynhardt Elstadt, who only returned from a long-term injury lay-off during the pre-season, had damaged ligaments in his knee and could be out for as long as three weeks.

Elstadt was an integral part of the Stormers side that won the South African conference during the 2011 Super Rugby season, adding much-needed grit and physicality to a forward pack that has long been considered as one of the softest in South Africa.

Elstadt’s place in the starting line-up will now be filled by either De Cock Steenkamp or youngster Eben Etzebeth, whose performances have become more impressive with every game he plays.

Nuggety hooker Deon Fourie was also ruled out of the match after he suffered a broken hand during a warm-up match against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth, on Saturday 11 February.

Fourie may not have been the first choice hooker, as Tiaan Liebenberg was more likely to start, but the Stormers will miss his energetic performances.

The stocky hooker has become one of the team’s most potent attacking weapons, especially in the last quarter of the game when his unexpected pace and explosive power can catch tired opponents off-guard and see him burst through half-gaps. The Stormers may be without his services for another five weeks.

Other players who are in doubt for the season opener are Springbok centre Juan de Jongh, athletic loose-forward Nick Koster and diminutive utility-back Joe Pietersen.

De Jongh took a knock to his jaw recently and could miss the game completely or start from the bench, meaning that Bok wing Bryan Habana or youngster JP du Plessis would have to step into the number 13 jersey.

Habana started his professional career at outside centre and impressed Stormers coach Alister Coetzee when he played there against the Kings

Koster is in doubt due to a knee injury, but the return of first-choice eighthman Duane Vermeulen and the emergence of Nizaam Carr as an option will lessen the damage done by his unavailability.

Pietersen is suffering from a hamstring strain and could also miss the match. Pietersen’s versatility makes him an important asset to the side. The Stormers have sufficient cover out wide and his loss should not be a major concern for Coetzee’s side.

The injuries will further weaken a Stormers side that has already lost several first-team players to other rugby teams, both in South Africa and abroad.

The Hurricanes suffered a similar exodus of talent and experience in the off-season. The Wellington side lost several first team players, including All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Andrew Hore, Hosea Gear, Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu.

Despite the injuries, the Stormers should still be considered favourites to win the match, and a loss will be a setback to their Super Rugby ambitions this season.