Stormers Struggle Amid Injury Crisis After Harlequins Humbling, Dobson Calls for Depth and Discipline

The DHL Stormers are navigating a challenging period following their crushing 53-16 loss to Harlequins in London, marking their heaviest defeat of the season. Compounded by injuries to key Springbok players such as Damian Willemse, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, and Deon Fourie, the team has now lost four consecutive matches since the international season concluded. Head Coach John Dobson faces mounting pressure ahead of critical home fixtures during the festive season.

Injury Crisis Deepens

The Stormers went into the Harlequins clash with 12 players unavailable due to injury, and the bruising encounter added to their woes.

“Connor Evans looks like he has an ankle injury, and Louw Nel pulled a hamstring,” Dobson confirmed post-match, underlining the toll on his already stretched squad.

Debutants Shine Despite Defeat

With a depleted roster, Dobson called on young talent, including U19 and U21 players like JC Mars, Paul de Villiers, and Vernon Matongo.

“The new guys, like Vernon Matongo—who played well—Louw Nel, and Johnny Roche on debut, took their opportunities,” Dobson said. “Sazi Sandi was solid, and Connor Evans showed improvement. It was a curious game; they didn’t play poorly but were well beaten," he told SportsBoom.com. 

A Low Point for the Stormers?

Despite their recent success—winning the inaugural United Rugby Championship and finishing runners-up the following season—questions have been raised about whether this is the lowest point in Dobson’s tenure.
“No, not by any stretch,” Dobson asserted. “Nobody likes to lose like this, but with our key players unavailable, it was always going to be a tough fixture. We’d be naive to think we could beat Harlequins under these constraints.”

He also acknowledged the team's own shortcomings: “Three yellow cards and a weakened team as big as Harlequins? We’ve got to blame ourselves. Salmaan Moerat said it best in the changeroom—we need to look inward.”

Takeaways From London

Dobson remained optimistic about the developmental opportunities provided by the game.
“The European Cup is about depth, and we’re aiming to build from 21-25 solid players to 40. Having young guys like JC Mars, Johnny Roche, and Vernon Matongo gain this experience is invaluable.”

He also praised the fight shown by the team: “Despite the scoreline, Harlequins didn’t dominate us physically. The scrum calls didn’t go our way, but I thought the props did well.”

Willemse Finds a New Role

Injured playmaker Damian Willemse has taken on an analytical role while recovering from a groin injury.
“He’s been helping with opposition previews,” Dobson shared. “Long-term injuries can be isolating, but Willemse wants to stay close to the team, and we appreciate his commitment.”

Officials and Discipline

Dobson refrained from blaming officiating for the loss, despite contentious scrum calls and three yellow cards.
“We lost 53-16. There’s no point in talking about officiating’s influence,” Dobson said. “Three yellow cards aren’t acceptable, and while the scrums were frustrating, we need to focus on keeping our guys on the field.”

Looking Ahead

While the London trip provided valuable lessons for the squad, the Stormers will need to regroup quickly to turn their season around. Building depth and improving discipline remain top priorities as they prepare for upcoming home matches.