The Stormers are sweating over the fitness of Deon Fourie after the 39-year-old sustained medial ligament damage to his knee during Friday's 38-38 draw with Ulster in Belfast, leaving his participation in the URC play-offs in serious doubt.
Fourie was caught in a croc roll at the breakdown by Ulster captain Iain Henderson in the ninth minute, an act that earned Henderson a yellow card immediately upgraded to a 20-minute red in the 14th minute. Despite attempting to play on, Fourie was eventually forced off in visible discomfort and replaced by Paul de Villiers.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed the medial ligament damage after the match but said the full extent of the injury was still to be determined. Dobson used the occasion to renew his call for croc rolls to carry automatic match-ending sanctions.
"That has to be removed from the game, and the player must be removed for the whole match," Dobson said. "Deon has damaged the medial ligaments in his knee. We'll have to learn that no player can survive that. If we don't take that out, there's no room for turnovers, and if there are no ball stealers at the breakdown, the game becomes like rugby league."
Dobson stopped short of attributing malicious intent to Henderson, acknowledging the referee's handling was correct, but described the blow as significant given Fourie's current form.
De Villiers, who stepped in for Fourie, made a telling impact at the breakdown and has been a consistent contributor throughout the season. "Paul did a good job," Dobson noted.
The draw, which secured three points, was nonetheless costly in the standings. Glasgow's 40-17 win over Cardiff on the same weekend moved the Scottish side to 60 points, nudging the Stormers — on 59 — off top spot. The Stormers must beat Cardiff in their final league fixture next week to secure a home quarterfinal.