Springbok prop Frans Malherbe has suffered a serious back injury and is expected to miss several matches for the Stormers.
The 34-year-old two-time Rugby World Cup winner is ruled out of the Stormers URC match against Connacht on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium. Stormers coach John Dobson could not indicate when the Springbok prop could be back in action.
“It’s a back thing, and a tighthead and a back and scans and epidurals… It’s a moving feast,” Dobson said on Friday. “He [Malherbe] could play next week or it could be a long time.
“It’s not a precaution, he’s definitely unavailable. Be lucky if he plays next week. I think it’s one of the things that he’s going to require more scans and scans,” he said as per sarugbymag.co.za.
Springbok prop to require ‘more scans’, says Dobson
“He’s been struggling with his posture for a little while in the scrum, and it’s just got worse. I hope for something good but he went yesterday to the specialist [who said] absolutely no chance this week, more scans next week.
“So it’s a disaster,” Dobson on Malherbe’s injury.
With the Springbok prop out and Neethling Fouche serving a suspension, it gives a rare opportunity for 26-year-old Sazi Sandi.
“It’s a massive opportunity. The thing with having Neethling and Frans is we’ve probably given Sazi limited opportunity, you know,” Dobson said.
Will the Stormers be affected by the absence of Malherbe?
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