Only two rounds into this year’s Super Rugby tournament and the Stormers are already battling injuries to key players.
Already missing captain Siya Kolisi (knee), it came to light on Tuesday that hooker Bongi Mbonambi’s hamstring injury is a lot worse than initially feared.
After going down in the season opener against the Hurricanes, the No.2 was expected to miss up to six weeks.
But further scans have revealed that his hamstring was torn from the bone completely and he had to undergo surgery to reattach it.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. Picture: RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX
Mbonambi is now expected to be sidelined for a long time and could possibly miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.
RECOVERY: Bongi Mbonambi
Then there’s also his Springbok teammate Herschel Jantjies, who is battling a niggle.
Coach John Dobson says of his star scrumhalf: “Herschel was lucky to play last week - we will give him until Friday, but I doubt whether he will play.”
NIGGLES: Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies
Dobson, though, is convinced that in Godlen Masimla they have an able replacement ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.
Of Masimla, Dobson says: “We are very excited about Godlen.
“He’s a different player now. I always talked him up all those years ago and I think he didn’t come through and he struggled at the Kings and spent eight months here as an amateur.
“He only got a contract now in January I don’t know if you’ve seen physically what he looks like now, he is the second fastest guy in our team behind Dillyn Leyds, so I’m really excited.
“We would have probably created an opportunity for Godlen anyway.”
On top of those injuries, No.8 Jaco Coetzee is also a doubt after suffering concussion in their win over the Bulls last weekend.