Stormers win but lose FOUR players to injury

The Stormers plans to launch a stunning URC title defence was rocked by injuries to four players on Friday.

The defending champions turned on the burners to beat Benetton 38-22 in Stellenbosch but were left counting the cost.

Locks Ruben van Heerden and Ernst van Rhyn needed replacing in the first half and star winger Seabelo Senatla went off concussed in the second half.

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Suleiman Hartzenberg was injured in his side’s Currie Cup game earlier in the day. Earlier in the week, Kade Wolhuter was ruled out long term after an ACL injury in practice.

Expensive Friday for the Stormers

“It was an expensive day for us,” said Dobson on Friday.

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The Stormers won’t have a home semi-final after losing to Munster last week. It allowed Ulster to move into second place, and they confirmed their spot with a 28-14 win over Edinburgh.

“To lose two locks in one half … Suleiman looks like he suffered a serious injury in the Currie Cup game. It was a very pricey day.

“Senatla is off to the hospital where they will keep him overnight, it’s concussion, he could be out for two weeks.

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“They [Van Heerden and Van Rhyn] all haven’t been scanned yet but looks like two knees. Luckily we had cover and B-J [Dixon] did brilliantly, but it was expensive.”

Rest is on the cards

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The Stormers now have a week off before the quarter-finals.

“We will know by the end of Saturday who we are playing,” added Dobson.

“We will do some work on Monday and Tuesday, but it will be pretty chilled, and put in a nice high-speed session before the long weekend.

“Our most important thing now is to freshen up. So we will get some detail planted, get a nice sweat in on Wednesday and then give them the long weekend. Less is more at this stage.”

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