What should have been a fairytale Stormers homecoming for Cheslin Kolbe at DHL Stadium in October has instead been turned into a cruel injury blow, with the Springbok winger set to miss around two months after suffering a broken jaw against the All Blacks in Soweto last weekend.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson confirmed the extent of the injury on Friday following his side’s pre-season clash against the Bulls, admitting that Kolbe’s absence would be a significant blow to the Cape side at the start of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
Dobson was keen to use his marquee utility back in a couple of home matches in October, starting with the Sharks (10th), before he was set to leave on Bok duty for the Nations Championship tour to Europe in November. That return, and his on-field unveiling, has been put on ice for now.
“He’s (out) eight weeks with a broken jaw,” Dobson said.
“He’d have played that whole run, the four games, so it was a hell of a blow. When we get back from the (opening URC) tour, the Springboks are all available. Well, they’re available theoretically for the Edinburgh game, but you’re not going to fly guys out to Scotland after what they’ve been through (this season). They’re all available for the Sharks, so it’s a bit of a loss,” Dobson added about the star’s absence.
The Stormers begin their URC campaign later this month against Connacht and will have a number of their Springboks returning from the Greatest Rivalry and one-off Test against Australia. But they will have limited preparation time with the team and it’s likely that Dobson will give Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Siya Kolisi and potentially Paul de Villiers and Deon Fourie a longer break.
Young Stormers backs make an impression
A silver lining to the news was that several young outside backs impressed for the Stormers in their first match for the side against the Bulls. While they lost 38-26, outside backs Dylan Miller (20) and club rugby star Lleyton Davids, affectionately known as the Robertson Express, shone.
Dobson described the young Miller, who scored two tries, as fearless, while he was in awe of the skillset and pace of Davids.
“I’m very impressed with him. He’s so tough, absolutely fearless. How was his tackle on Stravino (Jacobs) here? I think he’s special. He’s still Under-20. He didn’t make the Junior Boks, but we think he’s going to be a star, mainly because he’s so fearless in his attitude.”
Dobson said he thought Davids overachieved for his first time in a Stormers jersey. The winger grabbed the attention with a brilliant try, where he used his pace to round Bulls speedster Thaakir Abrahams in the first half.
“I thought he was brilliant.
“He could’ve scored twice and assisted another try if Xola (Nyali) stayed on his outside for a pass on the touch. He’s confident in the air as well. He’s a triple jumper, I’m quite excited by him, I must say.”
