Fourie, Orie in doubt as Stormers sweat over stars ahead of URC semi-final

The Stormers are sweating over the fitness of star players Deon Fourie and Marvin Orie ahead of the biggest game of their season so far, their United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final clash against Connacht at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Stormers coach John Dobson admitted at a press conference on Wednesday that Fourie was 50-50 on whether he would be available but he expected Orie to be fit, although the lock had gone for a precautionary scan.

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Fourie had returned from injury for the Stormers quarterfinal win over the Bulls over the past weekend, but was replaced early in the second half after feeling discomfort in his hamstring.

“Deon is probably 50-50 at best. We’ll make a call at the captain’s (run) on Friday. It’s a tough one, because there’s no tomorrow. A semi-final is everything,” said Dobson.

“There are potential consequences (to weigh up). If we were to win, and also his own (Springbok) aspirations this year. It’s a tricky risk we have to take. That’s where our mind is at the moment. 

“There’s no pressure on him on Friday, if he wants to play then that’s great. So we haven’t pulled him out yet and we’ve made plans without him, so it’s literally 50-50.”

Dobson continued: “He’s (Fourie) feeling good. Kitsie (Steven Kitshoff) was testing him this morning in the gym. But his concern is that jackal (stealing at the ruck) position. That’s actually how he hurt it. And you can’t really test it. 

“So he feels good, but I know there’s a bit of worry and I know he can’t play if there’s that worry.” 

Big knocks

For Orie his shoulder injury didn’t seem as bad, after he went off late in the quarterfinal after a couple of big knocks, but he still went for a precautionary scan on Wednesday to see if it was more serious.

“He went for a scan now. He’s sore, you saw him go down a few times on Saturday. He trained yesterday but he was a bit (more) sore today. But I think he’s fine and he wants to play.” 

If Orie were to be ruled out of the semi it would add to the teams woes at lock, where they have struggled with a number of big injuries this season.

One of the team’s leaders, Salmaan Moerat has already been ruled out of the campaign, while Adre Smith was injured in the final pool game of the season and it is unknown if he will recover in time for the semi.

Other injuries in the squad sees wing Seabelo Senatla unavailable after he was in a car accident recently, while it was confirmed on Wednesday that utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg would also be out for an extended period.