Stormers coach John Dobson says there is concern over the injuries suffered by captain Siya Kolisi and hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the win over the Hurricanes on Saturday.
The Stormers opened their Vodacom Super Rugby season with a near- perfect performance resulting in a bonus-point victory and five points on the log.
ALSO READ: Rampant Stormers hammer Hurricanes
They host the Vodacom Bulls next weekend, who slumped to a loss against the Sharks in Durban, but could be without two of their most influential players for that clash.
Kolisi was forced off after just 24 minutes as he took a knock to his knee after being tackled without the ball by Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli. Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph du Toit took over the leadership of the side for the rest of the game.
There is also concern over Mbonambi, who had to be helped off the field in the second half after suffering a hamstring injury.
Speaking post-game, Dobson confirmed that the duo will definitely miss next weekend’s North-South clash, with Kolisi facing a potential six weeks on the sidelines.
‘Siya has done a knee injury,’ Dobson said. ‘He is being scanned. It is not an incidental injury. It is a hell of a blow, losing your skipper in the first 20 minutes of a campaign, given what he means to the team. So, it is a big blow.
‘Bongi has done some hamstring damage, I am not sure. He is also being scanned. I don’t think they will be in the mix for next week, obviously.’
There was another concern as flank Jaco Coetzee, whose breakdown work was influential in the win, also appeared to take a knock, but Dobson sounded more positive about his availability.
‘He twisted his groin, he felt it go. We don’t know yet. He thinks he is OK,’ Dobson said. ‘I thought he was absolutely outstanding. That guy is going to go so far in South African rugby. He is just a freak. So I hope it is not too serious.’
The Stormers are expecting to welcome loose forwards Juarno Augustus and Cobus Wiese back in the coming week, while JD Schickerling should be fit the following week.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
