The Stormers are facing a serious hooker crisis after losing Andre-Hugo Venter and Deon Fourie to long-term injuries during their 52-40 Round Four URC win over Scarlets, with director of rugby John Dobson confirming bleak timelines for both.
Venter's elbow injury carries a best-case prognosis of two months, but if surgery is required Dobson fears it could stretch to eight or nine months. Fourie, who sustained a grade three hamstring tear, is looking at roughly three months out, though Dobson noted Fourie himself feels the injury may not be as severe as the diagnosis suggests. Replacement hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela is also unavailable after suffering a concussion during the same match.
To plug the gap, the Stormers have brought Bongi Mbonambi back into the fold. Venon Paulo starts at hooker against Ulster in Round Five, with Mbonambi set to provide cover off the bench.
"Those are two big hookers [sidelined]. Deon would've slotted in at hooker this week if he'd been fit," Dobson said. "We're just a little bit thin at hooker."
Dobson acknowledged the Ulster fixture at home in Cape Town carries additional pressure, citing the Stormers' historically poor record against the Belfast side. "The best we managed in Belfast was a draw last season. They're a tricky team to put away — a high ball-in-hand team."
The preparation has been further disrupted by Springbok squad announcement uncertainty and the imminent departure of several players on national duty. Dobson also flagged Ulster's strong second-half performance against the Bulls as a warning sign ahead of what he described as "a must-win" home game.