The Stormers stayed unbeaten in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship after dismantling the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday night.
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MATCH RECAP: STORMERS BLANK SCARLETS
Their pack laid the platform early, winning key scrum penalties and fronting up in the collisions. No 8 Evan Roos powered over for the opening try. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the conversion and a penalty to stretch the lead to 10-0 as the visitors took control.
A yellow card to flanker Ben-Jason Dixon for a dangerous clearout didn’t slow the Stormers down much. They responded with another try. Paul de Villiers crashed over from a lineout maul late in the first half. The Stormers led 17-0 at the break.
Despite another yellow card, this time to Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Stormers remained in charge. Lock Ruben van Heerden scored the third try in the 53rd minute. Feinberg-Mngomezulu returned from the bin to grab the bonus-point try. Damian Willemse converted as the Stormers pulled further away.
The Scarlets’ misery deepened with a yellow card to Macs Page. Imad Khan capitalised by sniping over for the fifth and final try. The Scarlets were shut out completely as the Stormers made it back-to-back clean sheets following their win over the Lions.
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SPRINGBOK DEON FOURIE SET FOR LENGTHY INJURY LAYOFF
While the Stormers were dominant on the scoreboard, the mood in the camp turned somber after Deon Fourie went down injured. The veteran flank had only just returned from a lengthy layoff with a leg injury. He lasted only minutes before hurting his arm.
Coach John Dobson confirmed that Fourie suffered a serious bicep injury which will require surgery and force him out for months.
“Deon’s devastated,” said Dobson. “There were a lot of tears in the change room. He’ll go home for surgery.”
Fourie’s absence is a big blow to both the Stormers and Springbok planning. The injury comes as the Stormers are already dealing with a tighthead prop crisis. Sazi Sandi is also set to miss time.
“Sazi will get scanned, but for now he’s out,” Dobson added. “That’s three tightheads down, Frans (Malherbe), Neethling (Fouche) and now Sazi.”
Zach Porthen, Hencus van Wyk and Corne Welbach will likely carry the load up front in upcoming games in Italy.
The Stormers face Zebre and Benetton next as their four-week tour continues. They remain one of only three unbeaten teams.
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HOW BIG A LOSS IS DEON FOURIE FOR THE STORMERS?
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