Stormers release injury update on Libbok

12/09/2024 06:03 AM

Following the Stormers’ most recent Champions Cup clash on Saturday, there was some real concern over a head injury suffered by Manie Libbok, who needed to be stretchered from the field before being rushed to hospital.

Libbok was on the receiving end of a sickening tackle by Toulon replacement Yannick Youyoutte, who was subsequently red-carded for his actions, but the Stormers have now provided a key update.

“Manie Libbok, Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon all travelled back to Cape Town with the Stormers squad on Sunday after leaving the field with injuries in the 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, but were able to return 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.

Salmaan Moerat (knee), Sti Sithole (ankle), Frans Malherbe (ankle), Deon Fourie (knee) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (concussion) are all expected to make their return before the end of the year, while Steven Kitshoff (neck), Evan Roos (shoulder), Dan du Plessis (knee), Ben Loader (knee) and Damian Willemse (groin) all continue their rehab and are scheduled to return to play in the new year.

It’s an extensive injury list, but at least the initial fears over Libbok have been allayed.

“Manie is very bad – he's gone to hospital, normal concussion you don't go straight to hospital…” Stormers coach John Dobson commented after the game.

"If you look at the nature of the injuries … we're not doing soft tissue injuries, it's trauma injuries. It's a bit like frogs in the pot – when you look up and it's suddenly boiling you realise all those guys are out, and it's tough.”

You can see the tackle that left Stormers star Manie Libbok in hospital below:

Besides the injury to Libbok, the Stormers’ Keke Morabe also sustained a serious injury, Ben-Jason Dixon suffered a concussion and Ruben van Heerden picked up a knock.

"The truth is we are running out of cattle," Dobson admitted. "It's a sore changing room, two guys are in hospital. It was a brutal game.

"Keke has fractured his leg again (for the second time) in nine months, which is really tough. I think it's the same one but I might be wrong. 

"I think while we're in pain now and it's tough, this Stormers group will be a lot better off for the experience after the last couple of weeks with the depths we've gone to, and we're not backing away,” he added.

What are your views on this spate of injuries?

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