The DHL Stormers have been dealt a savage blow ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday with the news that JD Schickerling definitely won’t be playing.
According to Stormers defence coach Norman Laker, the shoulder injury that forced Schickerling from the field in the first half of the recent loss to Leinster in Dublin will rule him out of rugby “for a while”.
The Stormers do have two quality locks to drive the engine room in Schickerling’s absence, but the 29-year-old who returned from a three year stint in Japan during the off-season has arguably been the Stormers’ most influential and consistent forward this season.
Before the Cape side went walkabout in their last two games against Paris 92 in the Investec Champions Cup and Leinster in the URC, the Stormers had one of the most efficient lineouts around. Much of that would have been down to Schickerling’s presence in the formation, while he has also been a massive presence on the drive and as a ball carrier.
The Stormers do boast depth in the second row, and most teams would be happy to start with Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden as a combination. Young Conor Evans is considered to have a bright future and the likes of Gary Porter are also on the books of the Cape franchise. They also have players who have utility value and it shouldn't be forgotten that the Stormers beat the Bulls with Ben-Jason Dixon at lock two seasons ago, but the absence of Adre Smith, who is on sabbatical in Japan until June, will now be felt more acutely.
BULLS ALSO HAVE INJURY PROBLEMS
Of course, the Bulls also have their injury problems, and one of them is likely to also be in the second row, with Springbok Ruan Nortje one of the players who left the field injured in a bruising derby against the Emirates Lions last time out. Elrigh Louw, their inspirational Springbok looseforward, was another player who sustained an injury in that game that will lead to a long absence from the playing field.
On the other side of the balance sheet, the Stormers do look likely to be able to call on their Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok in Saturday’s game.
“Manie went off in the first half and it cost us in the game against Leinster as he is one of our game drivers and an important player as a Bok flyhalf,” said defence coach Norman Laker in an online press conference on Monday.
“We gave Manie some time off last week as per the Springbok resting protocols and we are expecting him to be back at training tomorrow (Tuesday).”
SACHA STILL OUT
That appears to suggest Libbok is ready to play, with Jurie Matthee the likely starting flyhalf if he doesn’t. The news for those hoping that this important game for the Stormers would see their other two international flyhalves, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse, back in the mix is not good.
“I can’t tell you exactly how long Sacha will be out for but he definitely won’t be back this week,” said Laker.
“Damian is expected to be out for another month,” he added.
Although Jonathan Roche has done well at inside centre since making his first start against the Sale Sharks, the continued absence of that duo is hurting the Stormers in the sense that having one of them pair up with Libbok in the key 10/12 decision making axis would take the Stormers’ attacking game to a different level. Feinberg-Mngomezulu showed glimpses of what could be achieved when he played centre against both the Emirates Lions and the Sharks (Durban version) but failed to make it to halftime in either game.
Speaking of inside centre’s, the good news on that front is that the experienced and influential Dan du Plessis could be back in the selection mix for this week’s game.
“Dan is back and he is training, but a decision on his availability for the Bulls game has yet to be made,” said the defence coach.
Dan’s cousin, Jean-Luc, is still out with a hand injury sustained in the Champions Cup game against Racing 92.