lock setback for Boks and Stormers
INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers’ already limited second row resources were dealt another cruel blow.
Springbok captain and Cape Town stalwart Salmaan Moerat has injured his knee, again.
Moerat, who captain the Boks against Italy last month, was one of a handful of players released to their respective franchises to get game time in the Currie Cup.
They were placed on ‘standby’ for Bok duty.
Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Evan Roos (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), Vincent Tshituka (flank) and Moerat were all sent back to their franchises.
Instead of getting Currie Cup game time, Moerat trained with the Stormers, where he injured his knee.
Erasmus, while giving an update on Monday ahead of their opening game of the Rugby Championship, against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, revealed that Moerat suffered an injury.
“Salmaan, unfortunately, got injured last week,” the Bok coach said.
“He would have played [for Western Province against the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup] this week.”
WP assistant coach Dewaldt Duvenage, addressing the media on Tuesday, could not provide much details, but admitted that the injury appears to be more than just a niggle
“I do know he got an injury during training [with the Stormers],” Duvenhage said, adding: “I don’t have an update on that.
“Unfortunately, I think he will be out for the Springboks at the moment.”
Moerat has a history of knee injuries, three of them dating back to 2022, when he tore ligaments in a Champions Cup game against London Irish.
He was sidelined for the better part of a year.
He also missed the 2024 end-of-year Bok tour after knee surgery.
Other serious injuries include a torn chest muscle and a serious bout of concussion.
The winless Province team is also sweating over the fitness of captain and flank Zain Davids.
Davids suffered a knee injury in the 17-47 loss to Griquas last week.
