The Stormers have called retired hooker Scarra Ntubeni back to the squad as an emergency cover player. The 35-year-old will act as a “medical joker” for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against Ulster, IOL reported.
The call-up follows a front-row crisis during the Stormers’ 52-40 win over the Scarlets at DHL Stadium. Director of Rugby John Dobson lost three hooker options in that one match.
“He’s just been pulled out as a stop-gap, a medical joker if you can call it, in case something happens,” Stormers skills coach Labeeb Levy said.
Starting hooker Andre-Hugo Venter left the field before halftime with a bad elbow injury. His replacement, Lukhanyo Vokozela, was taken off for a Head Injury Assessment, which he failed.
Regular hooker JJ Kotze could not help either. He is already serving a suspension, which left the squad with no fit hookers from that group.
Levy said the team is training with Vernon Paulo and young Currie Cup hooker Altus Rabie. Ntubeni has been added to cover any further problems.
“Scarra’s possibly the third choice because, in case of an injury now at training or say in the warm-up before the game if someone goes down, you always have extra players warming up with the team,” Levy said.
Ntubeni retired earlier this year. He played for the Cape side for 15 years and made more than 100 appearances for the franchise.
The Stormers also have a problem with World Cup winner Deon Fourie. He took over the lineout throwing after Venter went off, but later limped off with a hamstring injury.
Levy said Fourie will not need surgery. He has, however, been ruled out of the match against Ulster.
“He’s not playing this weekend, that we can guarantee. With the hamstrings, the tricky one is normally four to six weeks, sometimes longer,” Levy said.
“From what I remember of the medical report, it wasn’t necessary for an operation, which is good, but obviously it needs conservative management and treatment,” he added. Levy said a four-week break and a re-evaluation would follow.
The injuries forced the Stormers to finish the Scarlets game with uncontested scrums. The team still held on for the win.
Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach praised the way the team adapted, according to IOL. He played alongside 19-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, who scored two tries late in the match to seal the result.
The Stormers face Ulster in their next United Rugby Championship match on Saturday.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.