SA teams counting the cost as Libbok, Louw and Nortje suffer injuries in URC

The two top-performing SA teams in the competition fared well, the Sharks and the Bulls both securing bonus-point victories to finish the weekend in third and fourth place on the log respectively. The Bulls rallied late to defeat the Lions 37-22 in a contest that was much closer than the scoreline suggests, while the Sharks recorded an impressive away victory in Wales, dispatching high-flying Cardiff 42-22.

The Stormers could not say the same, however, suffering a heavy 36-12 defeat to log leaders Leinster in Dublin despite initially being competitive in the match.

Unfortunately, the Bulls and the Stormers were also left counting the costs after suffering key injuries to high-profile Springboks.

The Stormers' fate was effectively sealed when Bok flyhalf and main playmaker Manie Libbok limped off with an injury minutes before the half-time break.

They were trailing 10-7 at that point, but with no recognised flyhalf or goal kicker on the bench to replace their No 10, it was always going to be a tough ask from there, and head coach John Dobson admitted after the match that his decision to go with a 6-2 split on the bench had "backfired".

As for the extent of Libbok's injury, Dobson said they would have to wait and see, although the fact that he was able to play on for a while after sustaining it suggests it might not be particularly severe.

Meanwhile, the Bulls were hit even harder by injury than the Stormers despite their impressive win, losing key Springbok forward duo Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw during the match.

Nortje left the field early clutching his knee but if Bok and Bulls fans thought that was a sad sight, it would get much worse in the second half when Louw had to be carted off with what looked like a much more serious injury after his leg got stuck underneath him in a tackle.

Head coach Jake White confirmed after the match that Louw had been taken to hospital, clear evidence of the severity of the injury.

In recent months, a number of people have sounded the alarm over the amount of rugby the top South African-based Boks are currently playing, with Sharks head coach John Plumtree voicing his concern last month after as many as six Durban-based Springboks were ruled out of action - Eben Etzebeth, Aphelele Fassi, Andre Esterhuizen, Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi.

Thankfully, the Springboks are currently on an extended break and won't be back in action for some time, but the growing concern over player welfare remains a key issue, with many hoping that this break will allow the injured players to recover fully before the next international window.

READ MORE: Stormers boss admits 6-2 split 'backfired' against Leinster after injury to Libbok