Arguably the first significant curse of the still-sweltering “silly season” in South African rugby has struck last season’s Super Rugby runners-up, the Stormers.
Article from Sport24, Rob Houwing
And it is very likely to put to a quick, acid test their strong investment in youth as a back-up resource to some of their most senior troops.
The loss of Tiaan Liebenberg, a key member of their boiler room, to potentially long-term injury marred the franchise’s final warm-up fixture against the Boland Cavaliers at Newlands on Saturday.
The Stormers duly beat their neighbouring minnows 34-6 and by six tries to nil to complete their pre-season obligations, and blew hot and cold as they had done in the preceding Neo Africa Tri-Series – while managing to remain unbeaten, nevertheless.
But the sight of Liebenberg disappearing down the tunnel on the “golf cart” before half-time and going to hospital apparently for a knee scan would have sent a shiver down the spines of Stormers camp members and supporters alike.
In the post-match interview with SuperSport commentator Matthew Pearce, coach Allister Coetzee appeared to already have some semblance of bleak news by saying: “Tiaan will be out for a while.”
It certainly suggested that there is a close to zero chance of the beefy, combative No 2 taking his place when the Cape side finally open their Super Rugby account at home to the Lions in a fortnight.
For experience and proven first-class ability, that leaves only Deon Fourie, who has been short of game-time himself, as a worthy replacement for this level of activity.
It was some consolation for the Stormers that when he replaced Liebenberg against the up-for-it but essentially limited Cavaliers, WP U21 representative Siyabonga Ntubeni put himself about promisingly.
But the East London-born rookie cannot even boast Currie Cup experience – usually the best stepping stone to the broader southern hemisphere hurly-burly – and only turns 20 on Friday, the day the revamped Super Rugby season begins.
And now Springbok Hanyani Shimange, in addition, is getting far better acquainted with the TV commentary booth than the changing room.
Liebenberg played some inspired rugby during the Stormers’ surge to a maiden Super 14 final appearance last year, and is a vital member of the front five because of the bulk and muscle he provides to a unit still under some scrutiny for its ability to stand up to the brawniest packs.
It is worth bearing in mind that the otherwise skilful, intelligent and defensively stout Cape-based side largely surrendered both the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals in 2010 – against the Bulls and Sharks respectively – because the pack was quite glaringly on the back foot in each showpiece.
Even with Liebenberg, CJ van der Linde and Wicus Blaauw as their seasoned, starting front row against the Bolanders, the Stormers struggled to get a meaningful foothold at scrum-time, and now the loss of Liebenberg may be keenly felt – Fourie is a plucky, mobile competitor but a bit more lightweight than the senior hooker in scrummaging terms.
And loosehead prop Blaauw was rather shown up in the second half when another teenager, the flame-haired Steven Kitshoff, assumed his slot and quickly made a strong impact at the set-piece and in general play too.
On the plus side for the Stormers, senior pros Schalk Burger, the captain, and Jean de Villiers had useful gallops – the latter scored one of the tries, with the former involved in some crisp build-up play, before both were substituted in the 43rd minute and a flood of further changes ensued.
Another Springbok, flank Francois Louw, who had been sidelined for several weeks, was also introduced for about half an hour and appeared to get through unspectacularly but unscathed.
If intended first-choice flyhalf Peter Grant doesn’t make it back into the fray from Japan in time for the first-round fixture with the ambitions Lions, then maybe on Saturday’s evidence Lionel Cronje has played his way back to favourite as the fill-in.
Elgar Watts, who started at No 10, showed a few deft touches but was also mistake-prone and did not manage to control or dictate matters in the channel consistently.
“We’ve got to play better; we all know that,” Burger said honestly after the scrappy encounter.
At least the Stormers can’t be said to have hit any deceptive, premature highs in pre-season of what will be a uniquely taxing campaign.
But the Liebenberg blow certainly highlighted once again how squad depth will be a strong determinant of success in Super Rugby …