Stormers coach John Dobson says it’s tough because his team is in pain now, but he feels the squad will be a lot better off for the experience after the poor results of the last couple of weeks.
The Cape side showed resilience, but fell short in their Champions Cup opener at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, losing 24-14 to Toulon after leading 14-10 at half time.
The game took a toll on the Stormers, with flyhalf Manie Libbok and flanker Keke Morabe (pictured above) suffering serious injuries. Both were rushed to hospital, while utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon’s failed HIA casts doubt on his availability against Harlequins next Saturday.
Dobson highlighted the formidable challenge posed by Toulon given the number of men from the Cape outfit sidelined. The Stormers travelled to the Friendly City missing several injured Springboks, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Steven Kitshoff, and Frans Malherbe.
“It’s a sore changing room, two guys in hospital – it was a brutal game,” Dobson told reporters.
“We stuck around, the fight was nice but I don’t think I’ve seen a bigger team. It’s incomparable to La Rochelle.
Dobson was not looking for excuses, but nevertheless highlighted the massive injury list in his squad.
“Somebody will say it’s an excuse but not through substitutions or selections, but to play that game without Deon [Fourie], Evan [Roos], Keke, BJ, Frans, Kitsie, Damian, Sacha, Manie – it’s not insignificant.
“From that aspect the way we stuck around was good. On eight minutes to go they had 13 men, we just had to stay on the field, and could’ve scored down the other end. We could’ve been in… but outmuscled probably.”
The Stormers were bolstered by winger Seabelo Senatla’s long-awaited return, while Neethling Fouche took over captaincy from the injured Dan du Plessis, but they will be feeling the latest injury setbacks.
“Keke has fractured his leg again (for the second time) in nine months, which is really tough. I think it’s the same one but I might be wrong. Manie is very bad – he’s gone to hospital, normal concussion you don’t go straight to hospital. BJ failed his second HIA… we’ll wait and see,” Dobson said.
“If you look at the nature of the injuries … we’re not doing soft tissue injuries, it’s trauma injuries. It’s a bit like frogs in the pot – when you look up and it’s suddenly boiling you realise all those guys are out, and it’s tough.
“That’s why I give enormous credit to Neethling and the team, for playing against an international team today. And we’re still fighting. The last two weeks I’ve seen us go toe to toe with international-laden teams.
“I think while we’re in pain now and it’s tough, this Stormers group will be a lot better off for the experience after the last couple of weeks with the depths we’ve gone to, and we’re not backing away.”
Fouche added: “It’s quite sad actually because you could almost sniff that win. Just after half time we’re on their goal line; we score there we go 21-10 and they’re probably asking more questions than us at that juncture.
“But we don’t finish there and then it’s penalty, penalty, yellow card, and then you’re under pressure. Teams like these, with lots of internationals, they’re not going to let that pressure go. They’ll just keep their foot on your throat.
“But hell of a disappointing… nothing more to say.”
