The Stormers will be without a Springbok lock when they kick off their Vodacom URC campaign against Leinster in Cape Town on 26 September.
The Stormers will be without a Springbok lock when they kick off their Vodacom URC campaign against Leinster in Cape Town on 26 September.
Salmaan Moerat has been sidelined for six to eight weeks after injuring his meniscus (cartilage in the knee) during a training session.
The 27-year-old confirmed the setback saying the timing was unfortunate given his plans to get more game time through Western Province’s Currie Cup campaign before the new URC season.
The injury also rules Moerat out of the Springboks’ immediate plans, with the lock likely only to be considered again for the end-of-year tour.
The identity of the sidelined player has not been officially confirmed by the franchise, but sources close to the team have revealed that the lock sustained an injury during pre-season training. Initial assessments suggest he could be ruled out for several weeks, leaving a gaping hole in the Stormers’ engine room ahead of a high-stakes clash at DHL Stadium.
This comes as a serious blow for head coach John Dobson, who is looking to guide the Cape side to a strong start in a fiercely competitive URC season. Leinster, perennial title contenders, pose one of the toughest challenges on the calendar, and losing a Springbok in the tight five disrupts both the physical edge and the leadership presence that the player brings to the field.
The Stormers do have depth in the second row, with players like Ruben van Heerden, Ernst van Rhyn, and Adré Smith expected to step up in the absence of their Bok teammate. However, the experience and international pedigree of a Springbok lock are difficult to replace, particularly against a side boasting talents such as James Ryan and Joe McCarthy.
Fans will be eager to see how the team adapts to the setback, with the coaching staff likely to rotate combinations during their remaining warm-up fixtures to find the right balance before Leinster arrive in Cape Town.
With the URC season opener just over a month away, the countdown has begun – but the Stormers’ path to early momentum just got a little more complicated.
