The Stormers will start their United Rugby Championship campaign without the services of one of their most experienced forwards.
Scarra Ntubeni has been ruled out of the opening rounds of the URC after suffering a hamstring injury in Western Province’s 13-39 Currie Cup loss to the Pumas last Saturday.
The injury is a hammer blow to the Cape franchise, which lost the services of Springbok Joseph Dweba after the 2024/25 URC campaign.
The one-Test Bok’s injury means the Stormers are thin in the No.2 position – with JJ Kotze, Lukhanyo Vokozela and rookie Bok André-Hugo Venter.
Western Province head coach Labeeb Levy explained the severity of Ntubeni’s injury as well as that of former Maties star scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni.
“Scarra has got a hamstring [injury]. He is in a brace.
He will probably be out for eight to 12 weeks.
“I’m not a doctor, but that’s what his prognosis was.
“I spoke to him this morning [Wednesday ] and he was quite devastated, but he is ready to give it another go. That’s part of rugby.
“Ezekiel [Ngobeni] has adapted well over the last few weeks.
“I still believe if the [disallowed] try was awarded, which I believe was a try, it could’ve levelled matters against the Cheetahs, which was a key moment.
“But also for him [personally], he has played well and he will be sidelined between six and eight weeks.”
