The Stormers may be winning battles on the scoreboard, but beneath their boots the ground is beginning to give way.
Head coach John Dobson has launched a scathing assessment of the Cape Town Stadium pitch, blaming its deteriorating condition for a mounting injury toll that has now seen lock Adre Smith hospitalised with a serious knee infection.
Speaking at the team announcement press conference ahead of the Stormers’ Investec Champions Cup showdown against Harlequins in London on Sunday, Dobson did not mince his words, expressing his growing concern over the poor condition of the DHL Stadium pitch.
Our team for the Investec Champions Cup Round Three clash in London on Sunday afternoon.
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‘That should never happen at home’: Dobbo blasts pitch
More than 53,000 fans crammed into Cape Town Stadium for last weekend’s bruising 13–8 Vodacom URC win over the Bulls, but the victory came at a steep physical cost.
Prop Ali Vermaak limped off early, later diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles, while Ruan Ackermann faces months on the sidelines with a serious neck injury. Yet it was Smith’s ordeal that struck the deepest nerve.
“He sustained quite a serious injury on that pitch, which was a source of enormous frustration to us,” Dobson said.
“He landed on a bare patch, split his knee open and it got infected. The doctors have put it directly down to the condition of the field.”
Smith has spent several days in hospital battling the infection, an outcome Dobson described as unacceptable for a team playing at home.
“He’s in hospital at the moment and will be for another two days at least. That should never happen at a home venue,” he said.
Hybrid pitch under the microscope
Dobson warned that Smith’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern linked to the stadium’s hybrid surface, which he believes is contributing to an increase in non-contact injuries.
“We were promised a world-class pitch, and we don’t have one,” Dobson said.
“We’ve seen turf toe injuries, abrasions, infections and even an increased risk of concussion on an unpadded surface. Player safety is the biggest concern.”
The Stormers had already raised alarms before Christmas, after a World Supercross GP event left the pitch visibly brown and threadbare ahead of a URC clash with the Lions. Stadium officials insisted at the time that the surface met World Rugby standards, but the latest injuries have reopened the debate with fresh urgency.
Winning despite the wreckage
Ironically, the Stormers remain unbeaten in both the URC and Champions Cup, setting the pace like a side sprinting clear despite carrying wounded passengers.
Dobson outlined the severity of the latest blows to his squad.
“Ali has ruptured his Achilles, which is a serious injury for any rugby player. It’s incredibly disappointing because of how popular and effective he’s been for us.
“Ruan has a bulging disc in his neck. Those injuries can be three months if you’re very lucky, but they can also be longer. I’d say it’s a good few months, which is a massive blow because he was exceptional, especially on defence.”
Still, the Stormers coach insists there will be no retreat ahead of Sunday’s clash in London, followed by a home encounter against Leicester Tigers.
“We’ve chosen the strongest team we can,” Dobson said. “This is a very important game for us.”
A test beyond the touchlines
As the Stormers continue their European campaign, the real contest back home may be about accountability, ensuring that a team playing champagne rugby is not forced to do so on a surface that turns tackles into tripwires.
For now, the Stormers march on. But the pitch beneath them is a growing concern that threatens to undermine their title charge.
