Investec Stormers face injury crisis

Several players felt the brunt of the past Saturday’s physical encounter with the Reds, which the home side won 15-13 to keep their hopes of a semifinal spot alive.

Fullback Werner Greeff left the field shortly after the kick-off on a stretcher and coach Gert Smal later said he suffered from concussion.

The Springbok attempted to tackle his opposite number, Chris Latham, but was knocked back in the tackle and landed heavily on the Newlands surface.

“Werner has concussion. We will just have to say how he progresses. He will have a CAT-scan on Monday and be monitored very closely,” explained Smal after the game.

Centre Marius Joubert has an ankle injury. “It does not seem very serious, but again we will have to see on Monday how he progresses,” commented the coach.

Lock Quinton Davids also had to leave the park as a result of an ankle injury. According to Smal, the injury does not look too serious at this stage, but a proper examination must still be done.

The coach, however, admitted to being concerned about Schalk Burger. The fiery loosie sustained an injury to his Achilles. He will also be examined on Monday.

Another player who didn’t finish the game was No 8 Adri Badenhorst. The lanky Stellenbosch player is troubled by his knee. Fortunately for Smal, Jean de Villiers only suffered from cramping.

The wing was also forced off the field deep in the second half and was replaced by Neil de Kock, which led to a major reshuffle of the Stormers backline. De Kock played on the wing, with Breyton Paulse at fullback.

Smal said he was not happy with the performance. “I think the win was quite important just to lift the morale of the team, but nothing spectacular.

“I am very disappointed in the way we’ve won the game and also in the last try they’ve scored.

“That kick right at the end could have changed things. I think it was the right decision (to go for posts) because at the end of the day, if you want to make the semis you must also think about points’ difference.

“It was quite nerve-wracking, but in total not a good performance at all.”