“Ruhan has a calf injury and should only be out for a week, but we must proceed cautiously, as mishandling it could result in a recovery period of three to four months,” Dobson remarked.

At 35, Nel is understandably under close observation, as the Stormers seek to prevent a minor injury from turning into a long-term concern.

Nel’s absence creates an opportunity for Wandisile Simelane, who shined against Bristol after making a notable impact from the bench in the previous week’s match against the Sharks.

The adaptable player has once again demonstrated his value to the team, offering the coaches versatility across several positions while proving capable of making a significant contribution when called upon.

Dobson believes Simelane deserves more opportunities, especially given his capacity to play fullback, wing, and center.

“We need to give him more chances. He’s equipped to play in various roles for us. He can step in at 15, come off the bench on the wing, and handle contestable kicks,” Dobson stated.

Simelane is also keen to secure the No. 13 jersey, though competition remains intense, particularly with Nel, the team’s regular captain, being a crucial figure in the backline.

“He’s eager for a chance at 13, which is tough with your regular captain around, but Ruhan won’t be available for every game at 35,” Dobson added.

Expanding Simelane’s opportunities is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening squad depth and preparing the team for the challenges of a lengthy season.

Vernon Matongo and Zachary Porthen also made a strong impression during the match against Bristol, providing the Stormers with additional selection options ahead of their upcoming fixture against Scarlets.

However, Dobson stressed the importance of adhering to the team’s long-term goals, including providing Ollie Reed with playing time in the next two matches and methodically managing the workloads of key players in light of the Nations Championship.

Dobson referred to the strategy as a “critical path,” allowing the coaches to efficiently plan player involvement and set clear expectations.

“We refer to it as the critical path, so we can ascertain and communicate to Wandi that he’ll have two bench spots and two starting opportunities. The players understand their roles and can operate accordingly,” he expanded.

The upcoming task for Dobson will be to balance recognizing players for their excellent performances while adhering to a structured rotation plan.

For now, the primary focus remains on ensuring that Nel fully recovers before returning to action.

In the meantime, Simelane and the Stormers’ emerging forwards have an opportunity to exhibit their skills and potentially impact the team’s selection decisions in the weeks to come.