Stormers coach John Dobson on the hunt for props ahead of crucial clashes

Lizo Gqoboka replaced veteran Brok Harris in the second half of the Stormers' 43-21 United Rugby Championship win over Edinburgh. However, Gqoboka suffered what is now believed to be a serious ankle injury, forcing the 39-year-old Harris back on the pitch to finish the game.

While it was a welcome return for Springbok prop Frans Malherbe and rising star Neethling Fouche continued his form, Dobson admitted stocks are looking slim in the prop department. 

And with Ulster and French Giants La Rochelle coming to Cape Town in the coming weeks, the issue has been brought into sharp focus.

"That is now a crisis, to be honest," Dobson told the press after Saturday's victory, as per rugby365.com.

"Lizo rolled his ankle and with scrumming pressure, rolled ankles are quite significant. So, that is Lizo, Sti [Sithole], Ali [Vermaak], Leon Lyons and Kwenzo [Blose] out now.

"We are going to have to get somebody in otherwise we won't be complaint for next week [against Ulster].

"We are in trouble and that is the truth. It will be someone in South Africa. We can't borrow from the Cheetahs because they fulfilled their loan quota. We thought we could get Schalk Ferreira.

"It would be quite funny if Brok was substituted by an older player. We wanted Schalk because he is an old Stormer, but they have already fulfilled the loan quota with Ospreys. We are going to need somebody in on Monday."

The Stormers will be looking for crucial URC log points when they host Ulster next Saturday, then they welcome European champions La Rochelle for their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash on 6 April.

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