In the past when Deon Fourie has been injured there has been a touch of panic in the DHL Stormers ranks because he is such a hard man to replace but the emergence of young Paul de Villiers as a like-for-like replacement has made that less the case this time around.
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed on Tuesday what was already suspected by director of rugby John Dobson in the immediate aftermath of his team’s 34-29 win over Connacht in their round 15 Vodacom United Rugby Championship game - the injury that saw the veteran Springbok World Cup winner hobbling on crutches on the sidelines is a broken tibia.
“Deon has a broken tibia and that means we definitely won’t see him play again this season,” said Hlungwani during a break in the Stormers’ preparations for what has become a massive quasi knock-out game against Benetton in Cape Town on Saturday.
However, while Hlungwani said that Fourie’s onfield leadership will be missed, he still has a role to play within the group in an off-field capacity - and in particular pertaining to his continued grooming of 22-year-old De Villiers to be a successful replacement in the No 6 jersey.
De Villiers did start the game against Connacht, with Fourie being injured soon after coming onto the field as a last quarter replacement.
“Deon’s leadership role extends way beyond just what he brings on the field. He has been in the office over the past two days going over Paul’s game with him and giving him pointers and generally continuing what he was already doing.
"Obviously losing a player of Deon’s calibre is a major blow, but he is still present and has taken Paul under his wing.”
The Stormers forwards coach doesn’t usually get too effusive about individual performances, perhaps because he prefers the players to stay grounded and not get too far ahead of themselves.
So while his praise for De Villiers might seem to some to be a bit understated, what he did say can be seen as him having high regard for De Villiers’ abilities.
“It was De Villiers’ first start after playing a couple of games off the bench and I thought it was quite impressive, I thought he did well,” said Hlungwani.
“Paul, like all good openside flanks, has a very high work rate but he also has a really good tackle technique. He is always first to the breakdown and it is nice to have him in the mauls. His carrying technique means we can build momentum nice and early from the mauls.”
Indeed, while many who saw De Villiers playing at age-group level likened him to former Cheetahs and Springbok ace ball scavenger Heinrich Brussow, both because of his physical stature and ball winning ability, he does carry the ball quite a bit and does it in a style that is a little reminiscent of the hulking former Natal, Transvaal and Springbok flanker Wahl Bartmann.
That De Villiers will grow into a big player not only for the Stormers but also for his country seems highly likely and while one of his back-row teammates Evan Roos is naturally sad to see his mate Fourie ruled out for the season, he confesses to being excited for De Villiers for the opportunity he now has to develop as a first choice No 6 at the Cape franchise.
“I really feel for Deon. In terms of leadership, he’s always been a big voice in our group,” said Roos.
“He naturally brings calmness with his experience and now that we are heading into the deciding part of the season that will be missed. But I am excited for Paul, who I get on with and rate as a player.
"He is a good person and a good man and I have enjoyed playing alongside him as he grows into our systems. I am heartsore for Deon but this is an opportunity for Paul.”