Stormers Suffer Blow As Key Player Is Sidelined

The Stormers have been dealt a hammer blow as captain Salmaan Moerat is set to be sidelined for six months following a fortuitous injury picked up in the defeat against the Sharks at DHL Stadium.

Netwerk24 reports that Moerat is set to undergo surgery after tearing ligaments in his big toe.

In an unfortunate chain of events, Moerat was sin-binned moments after taking to the field against the Sharks – after the Stormers were warned repeatedly about their fouls – but did not return to the field following his brief cameo – due to a turf toe injury. 

With Moerat set to miss several months of action, it also throws his chances of playing for the Springboks in the Nations Championship in serious doubt. 

The Stormers have bemoaned the state of the pitch for a while after several non-rugby events were held at DHL Stadium, causing severe deterioration to the state of the pitch – and with the latest injury being the result of the poor state of the pitch, management at the club will be less than happy. 

Earlier this month, the Stormers lost lock Adre Smith after he split his knee open on a bare patch against the Bulls, which then got infected, causing him to be hospitalised for several days. 

Director of rugby John Dobson did not hide his frustration at the situation.

“Adre sustained quite a serious injury on that pitch. The doctors have put it directly down to the condition of the field.”

“We were promised a world-class pitch, and we don’t have one,” said Dobson.

Smith has been confirmed to be training again, but the latest news of the setback regarding Moerat is sure to spark newfound fury and frustration.