By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks back Manie Libbok, versatile forward Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon will miss this weekend’s important clash at Twickenham.
Both Libbok and Dixon are recovering from their respective concussions under a 12-day stand-down protocol.
The trio travelled back with the Stormers squad after the game at Nelson Mandela Stadium on the weekend.
Libbok was hospitalized after the game with a concussion but later returned to the Stormers squad in their hotel.
“Manie Libbok, Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon all travelled back to Cape Town with the DHL Stormers squad on Sunday after leaving the field with injuries in the Investec Champions Cup game against RC Toulon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday,” a statement read.
“Libbok (concussion) and Morabe (leg fracture) were both taken to hospital in Gqeberha for observation and returned to the team hotel on Saturday evening.
“Morabe will undergo surgery on Monday which will rule him out long-term, while Libbok and Dixon will be reassessed after 12 days as per HIA protocols.
The Stormers are not short of players on the sideline, with prop Steven Kitshoff (neck), Evan Roos (shoulder), Dan Du Plessis, Ben Loader (both knee) and Damian Willemse (groin) still all stuck on the Sideline for the Cape Town outfit, who are expecting their returns later on in 2025.
On a slightly more positive note Stormers, they will hopefully welcome back Salmaan Moerat (knee), Sti Sithole, Frans Malherbe (both ankle), Deon Fourie (knee) and Sasha Feinburg-Mngomezulu (concussion) all before the end of 2024, that will boost the overall squad depth going forward.
The Stormers will regroup for Saturday’s clash with Harlequins in London, before back-to-back derbies against the Lions and Sharks at Cape Town Stadium.