Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat won't be available for the Stormers until the end of next month and his knee injury is casting doubt over his availability for the November Tests in the UK.
Dawie Snyman, assistant coach of the Stormers, confirmed Moerat underwent a procedure that makes him unavailable for selection up until the end of next month during the United Rugby Championship (URC).
There is no return timeframe for him as he recovers from the operation but with the Bok squad for the Year-end tour set to be announced soon, and Moerat not being considered for this weekend's Munster clash (kick-off 6pm) in Cape Town and the one against the Glasgow Warriors, it could be a blow to his chances.
News from the Stormers camp is that lock Salmaan Moerat, who recently became a dad, had a procedure on his knee and won't be available for the Stormers' next two #URC games vs Munster & Glasgow. With no game time since Argentina, will he be ready for #Springboks duty in November?
The 26-year-old has been the captain for the Springboks when regular skipper Siya Kolisi was unavailable or resting, and had just started to hit his straps with the national side. If he misses the tour, with the Boks set to play Scotland, England and Wales, it could set him back again in terms of where he wants to be with the national side.
The good news for the Springboks is that RG Snyman (Leinster) and Jean Kleyn (Munster) who were both injured during the Rugby Championship, are back playing in the URC.
Moerat, prop Steven Kitshoff, utility back Sacha-Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Deon Fourie are the injured Springboks unavailable for the Cape side. Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies had his first game back recently against the Western Force after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Flyhalf Manie Libbok and prop Frans Malherbe will get another week off according to the Bok resting protocols. The duo will be available for selection next weekend.
The Stormers will only start training today which means a short week of preparation before the former champions arrive in the Mother City where they haven't lost yet. Munster is the only Irish side the Cape side hasn't beaten yet in the tournament.
“They have world-class players in a lot of positions with a good set piece, good running game and good defence.”
"They are a very efficient side," Snyman said, of their opponents for this weekend. "They have world-class players in a lot of positions with a good set piece, good running game and good defence.
“It is a tough team to break down. We came close last year at Thomond Park when they had all their internationals and we were missing some Springboks.
"Every time we played against them, we learnt a bit and I think they have ideas on how to break us down, but it's going to be a nice challenge and you want to be part of those big games. You want to be challenged by a big team like Munster."