Deon Fourie’s hopes of being involved with the Stormers and Springboks for the rest of the season hangs in the balance.
The 38-year-old loose forward lasted all but 30 seconds in his return from a concussion before suffering a suspected broken tibia against Connacht in the Stormers’ 34-29 United Rugby Championship (URC) win over the Irish club.
Fourie was supposed to make an impact off the bench after a stellar performance from his prodigy Paul de Villiers. But, shorty after coming on as part of a ‘Bomb Squad’, Fourie limped off the field supported by the Stormers’ physio before reappearing with his right leg in a cast and on crutches.
John Dobson confirms Deon Fourie broke his tibia. That is probably his season #STOvCON #URC pic.twitter.com/2mmYTdB8NV
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) April 19, 2025
Director of rugby John Dobson confirmed they suspect he fractured his leg, but they are awaiting scans. They should know by Sunday if his season is over.
“It looks like a broken tibia,” Dobson said.
“We haven't scanned or x-rayed him yet, but Keke (Morabe, loose forward) was out for how long, close to a year with that, so you'd have to do the maths and realise we’re probably at a crossroads, which I hope is not the case.
Hardly on the field, Deon Fourie is out. What a blow. #URC #STOvCON
“That's a very serious injury, by the looks of things. I don't know where this leave us or him, to be honest. After La Rochelle last year (when he was out injured for a long time) he said he didn’t want to finish his career on a golf cart, hopefully Deon will say he doesn’t want to finish it like that, let’s hope.”
Fourie has been included in the Springbok plans by head coach Rassie Erasmus, and after missing the entire 2024 international season, partially due to an ACL injury, he was set on one last contribution to the side that made him a World Cup winner.
Paul de Villiers gets replaced by Deon Fourie.
Deon play 1 minute and injure his leg. So no head injury for a HIA. He should have hold his head. Dammit. 🤣🤣🤣
No forward replacement???
So no Paul and no Deon.
Stormers lucky at the end.
5-log points.
That hangs in the balance now as the veteran will hope his injury is not one that ends his international career prematurely. He still has plenty to offer teams he is part of and the Stormers will hope to use his experience for one more season, should the worst be confirmed, to give him a fitting farewell.