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The Stormers say Deon Fourie will still contribute to the union through his mentorship of young players though he will likely miss the rest of the season.
Stormers flank Deon Fourie broke his tibia against Connacht. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The Stormers have confirmed Deon Fourie has broken his tibia and will likely miss the rest of the rugby season.
Recovery times last up to a year for this injury, and the 38-year-old Springbok may not return to the game afterwards.
The flanker came onto the field as a substitute for less than two minutes before limping off during the Stormers’ 34–29 win over Connacht in Cape Town last weekend. He later appeared on the pitchside in crutches and with his leg in a moonboot.
On Tuesday, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said they are expecting to have to play the rest of the season without Fourie.
“Losing someone of Deon’s calibre of experience is a major blow,” Hlungwani said. “He is one guy who really contributes to the team in a major way.
“But he will be present. He has put Paul de Villiers under his wing. So we are still getting him [Fourie] in that regard but it will be tough not having him on the field. Still, he is helping us move forward.”
Stormers No 8 Evan Roos, who recently returned from his own six-month injury layoff, said he hoped Fourie’s recovery would go smoothly.
“It is sad to see someone get injured, it doesn’t matter who it is,” Roos said. “He is a big voice and a big character in the team. He brings a lot of calmness with all the experience that he has. So I think that is something we will miss out on.”
Still, Roos said he was happy to see 22-year-old de Villiers receive opportunities to play recently (eight caps for the Stormers now) because he had always been energetic and persistent in training.
Fourie, a 2023 World Cup winner, was included in the Springboks’ first alignment camp of 2025 in March, and remained part of Rassie Erasmus’ planning despite his age.
Stormers boss John Dobson said, “You’ll remember last year after La Rochelle, he said, ‘I’m not finishing my career in a golf cart’. Knowing Deon, he’s not going to want to finish it like that. Let’s hope.”
Fourie’s injury follows the retirement of another Springbok and Stormers veteran. Steven Kitshoff retired from rugby in February after suffering a serious neck injury while playing in a Currie Cup match for Western Province in Kimberley last year.
Kitshoff underwent initial conservative therapy and had stabilising surgery.
Following an extensive rehabilitation process the specialist loosehead prop has been left with significantly reduced rotation of his neck and the advice from a specialist neurosurgeon was that there would be a high risk of another injury should he continue playing.
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