The Cape side find themselves grappling with significant setbacks as key players Steven Kitshoff and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are sidelined by injuries just as the team prepared for critical outings in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup.
Kitshoff is grappling with a neck injury that has left his return date uncertain. Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson expressed concern over the situation, emphasising the efforts to gauge the severity of Kitshoff’s condition.
“There will hopefully be clarity in a couple of weeks just how serious it is and when he will be available again.”
“There will hopefully be clarity in a couple of weeks just how serious it is and when he will be available again,” Dobson said.
In parallel, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has begun rehabilitation on his knee injury at the Western Province High-Performance Centre. This marks the second time within a short span that the talented rookie faces challenges with the same knee, raising concerns regarding his long-term health.
Despite this, there remains a glimmer of hope that he might be fit enough to join the Springboks on their upcoming tour to the United Kingdom. However, Dobson and the Stormers’ medical team are cautious, preferring he returns to the field well-prepared for the critical December and January club clashes ahead.
These crucial matches include Champions Cup fixtures and local URC derbies against rivals such as the Sharks and Lions in Cape Town. The North-South derby against the Bulls, which was postponed for the Currie Cup final, also hangs in the balance as a further test of the Stormers' depth.
“Do you want to do that to someone who’s got the same (injury) because of the risk of arthritis or further damage... you probably want to slow him down a bit. If that means he returns at the back end of the November tour, that will be a discussion with our medical team and the Springboks’ medical team.
“I am convinced that he will be available for us after the End-of-Year tour. He is a guy that wants to get back onto the field quickly. You just need someone to talk some sense into him about not rushing (him) too much.
“He has such a role to play for Stormers and South African rugby for (the next) 10 years and the last thing we want is some arthritis or career-threatening degeneration given the second knee injury within a year on the same knee.”
“He has such a role to play for Stormers and South African rugby for (the next) 10 years and the last thing we want is some arthritis or career-threatening degeneration given the second knee injury within a year on the same knee.”
Dobson also did not shy away from highlighting the impact of Kitshoff and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s absence, calling it a “big blow”.
“You don’t have to be Doc Craven or some rugby guru to realise taking Steven and Sacha out of the team in one week is a big knock,” he noted, lamenting how crucial Kitshoff’s skills and leadership have been to the team's success. “Steven is a massive loss for us… from the scrumming, stealing, carrying and leadership perspective, he’s invaluable.”
As the team prepares for the URC match against the Glasgow Warriors at the end of October, they may find solace in the expected return of veteran prop Frans Malherbe and Bok flyhalf Manie Libbok.
Both players are anticipated to add significant depth to the team following a strong showing that saw the Springboks clinch three trophies this year, including their first Rugby Championship title since 2019.