Deon Fourie © Gallo Pictures
Previously when Deon Fourie has been injured there was a contact of panic within the DHL Stormers ranks as a result of he’s such a tough man to interchange however the emergence of younger Paul de Villiers as a like-for-like alternative has made that much less the case this time round.
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed on Tuesday what was already suspected by director of rugby John Dobson within the quick aftermath of his staff’s 34-29 win over Connacht of their spherical 15 Vodacom United Rugby Championship sport – the harm that noticed the veteran Springbok World Cup winner hobbling on crutches on the sidelines is a damaged tibia.
“Deon has a damaged tibia and which means we undoubtedly received’t see him play once more this season,” stated Hlungwani throughout a break within the Stormers’ preparations for what has turn out to be a large quasi knock-out sport in opposition to Benetton in Cape City on Saturday.
Nevertheless, whereas Hlungwani stated that Fourie’s onfield management will likely be missed, he nonetheless has a job to play throughout the group in an off-field capability – and particularly pertaining to his continued grooming of 22-year-old De Villiers to be a profitable alternative within the No 6 jersey.
De Villiers did begin the sport in opposition to Connacht, with Fourie being injured quickly after coming onto the sector as a final quarter alternative.
“Deon’s management function extends means past simply what he brings on the sector. He has been within the workplace over the previous two days going over Paul’s sport with him and giving him pointers and customarily persevering with what he was already doing.
“Clearly shedding a participant of Deon’s calibre is a serious blow, however he’s nonetheless current and has taken Paul beneath his wing.”
The Stormers forwards coach doesn’t normally get too effusive about particular person performances, maybe as a result of he prefers the gamers to remain grounded and never get too far forward of themselves.
So whereas his reward for De Villiers might sound to some to be a bit understated, what he did say will be seen as him having excessive regard for De Villiers’ skills.
“It was De Villiers’ first begin after taking part in a few video games off the bench and I believed it was fairly spectacular, I believed he did properly,” stated Hlungwani.
“Paul, like all good openside flanks, has a really excessive work price however he additionally has a very good sort out method. He’s all the time first to the breakdown and it’s good to have him within the mauls. His carrying method means we are able to construct momentum good and early from the mauls.”
Certainly, whereas many who noticed De Villiers taking part in at age-group degree likened him to former Cheetahs and Springbok ace ball scavenger Heinrich Brussow, each due to his bodily stature and ball profitable capacity, he does carry the ball fairly a bit and does it in a method that may be a little harking back to the hulking former Natal, Transvaal and Springbok flanker Wahl Bartmann.
That De Villiers will develop into an enormous participant not just for the Stormers but in addition for his nation appears extremely possible and whereas one in all his back-row teammates Evan Roos is of course unhappy to see his mate Fourie dominated out for the season, he confesses to being excited for De Villiers for the chance he now has to develop as a primary alternative No 6 on the Cape franchise.
“I actually really feel for Deon. By way of management, he’s all the time been an enormous voice in our group,” stated Roos.
“He naturally brings calmness along with his expertise and now that we’re heading into the deciding a part of the season that will likely be missed. However I’m excited for Paul, who I get on with and price as a participant.
“He is an efficient individual and an excellent man and I’ve loved taking part in alongside him as he grows into our programs. I’m heartsore for Deon however this is a chance for Paul.”
