INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without one of their key leaders when they head to South Africa to take on the Springboks in July.
Ireland lock and Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss the tour to South Africa after undergoing toe surgery.
Ulster confirmed the news on their official website.
The province revealed that the Ulster captain has been ruled out for the rest of the season and will be unavailable for the United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Leinster.
“Iain Henderson had toe surgery [on Monday].
“He is now expected to be sidelined for approximately three months.” The statement read.
With 81 caps for his country, Henderson’s injury is a big setback for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
The back-to-back Six Nations champions will play two Test matches against the Springboks on July 6 in Pretoria and July 13 in Durban.
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‘Simply sensational’ Springbok commits long-term future to Stormers after ‘transformed’ move
Springboks forward Evan Roos has signed a long-term extension with the Stormers keeping him in Cape Town until at least 2027.
The dynamic back-rower made his Test debut for the Springboks against Wales in 2022 after joining the Stormers from the Sharks in 2021. He has since gone from strength to strength.
In addition to the contract extensions for Dan du Plessis, Ruben van Heerden, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, this is another plus for John Dobson’s team.
Transformed move to Cape Town
Roos played a pivotal role in the Stormers’ URC title success in 2022, winning the Vodacom URC’s Players’ Player of the Season, the Next-Gen Player of the Season, and the Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season awards.
“Playing for this team means a lot to me and my rugby career has transformed here at the DHL Stormers,” Roos said, adding that it was an easy decision to extend his contract for another three years.
“Together, we still have so much to accomplish, and I want to be a major contributor to our future success.”
After suffering numerous injuries last season, Roos is now playing some of his finest rugby. With 88 carries, he leads the URC in carrying this season. With 14 turnovers won, he is fourth in the list of leaders.
Throughout his 13 URC games this season, he has also crossed for seven tries.
More to come
Dobson hailed Roos’ impact at the Stormers and adds that there are still more extensions to come.
“Evan has been simply sensational since joining us three years ago and at just 24, there is still plenty more to come from him in a DHL Stormers jersey,” Dobson added.
He approaches everything with physicality, speed, and, most importantly, a great attitude, and we’re excited to watch him develop more in our system.
“It is really exciting that the key players in this squad are committed to our vision and have bought in to build something special over the next few years,” the statement reads. “These extensions and a few more that will be announced soon.”
The 24-year-old’s re-signing gives the Stormers even more momentum as Steven Kitshoff and JD Schicklering are expected to return to Cape Town for the upcoming campaign.
Star back-row player Hacjivah Dayimani, however, is reportedly going to sign with Top 14 team Racing 92 at the end of the current campaign.
