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Stormers freak training ground incident threatens quarter-final for star duo


Leolin Zas of the Stormers and Damian Willemse of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
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The Stormers are sweating on the availability of two backline stars ahead of Saturday’s URC quarter-final against Cardiff.

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Springbok Damian Willemse and wing Leolin Zas clashed heavily during a training ground run, leaving both requiring hospital scans to determine the extent of the injuries, while star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also left the field. 

Head coach John Dobson said they were going full speed before the accident left both on the turf.

“I hate watching practice on a Wednesday. I try not to watch,” Dobson told CapeTalk.

“And then when I looked up, I just saw Zas and Damian hit each other at 100 k’s an hour, and then two bodies lying there for long minutes.”

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“You always watch the physio’s reaction,” he added. “And then she’s sort of going to call the doctor, and then the doctor starts waddling across.”

Willemse is feared to have injured his knee, with Zas having a potential haematoma from the shock collision.

“I’m waiting for the scans,” Dobson said. “That would be catastrophic if those two are both out.”

Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also left the field feeling unwell as a precaution.

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The Stormers host Cardiff at DHL Stadium in Cape Town in the third URC quarter-final this weekend.

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