'Major blow': Deon Fourie out with long-term injury, but mentorship role continues

Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed the bad news on Tuesday after head coach John Dobson admitted they were fearing the worst when he hobbled off against Connacht at the weekend.

"It's a broken tibia, so he'll be out for a while," Hlungwani told a press conference on Tuesday.

"Losing a player of Deon's calibre and experience is a major blow. But you know, Deon was in yesterday and he is in today. He is one guy that really contributes to the team in totally different ways. So not having him on the field is a major blow, but he'll still be present."

Hlungwani said that Fourie will continue to mentor his young successor Paul de Villiers - a role the veteran forward had already been performing admirably prior to his injury.

"He has really taken Paul de Villiers under his wing," Hlungwani added. "Deon's leadership role extends way beyond just what he brings on the field. He has been in the office over the past two days going over Paul's game with him and giving him pointers and generally continuing what he was already doing."

Fourie's loose trio partner Evan Roos said it was sad for Fourie and the team to lose him at the business end of the season but was confident De Villiers would step up in his absence.

"I really feel for Deon. In terms of leadership, he's always been a big voice in our group," said Roos.

"He naturally brings calmness with his experience and now that we are heading into the deciding part of the season that will be missed. But I am excited for Paul, who I get on with and rate as a player.

"He is a good person and a good man and I have enjoyed playing alongside him as he grows into our systems. I am heartsore for Deon but this is an opportunity for Paul."

While Fourie's Stormers season is certainly over, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to play any further part for the Springboks this season. A broken tibia will likely take around 4-6 months to heal, making his participation this year unlikely.

Fourie was named in Rassie Erasmus' first alignment camp of 2025 in March despite not playing for the Boks last year due to a previous injury. He played a vital role in their 2023 World Cup victory - memorably playing nearly the entire World Cup final at hooker after coming on for the injured Bongi Mbonambi - and was still considered a valuable back-up option.

He spent months on the sidelines in 2024, missing the entire Bok season, after a knee injury sustained in a Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle in April 2024, only returning to action in late December.

Stormers coach Dobson said he was confident Fourie would do his best to return to the field.

"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," he said.

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