Springboks winger Bryan Habana could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks after suffering a serious knee injury before the Stormers hung on to beat 2012 Super Rugby champions the Chiefs 36-34 on Saturday in Cape Town.
The Stormers put their season back on track with their first win, while handing the visiting Chiefs their first defeat of 2013.
But that success was tempered by the injury to veteran Habana, South Africa’s all time leading try-scorer in Tests and Super Rugby, who was carried off when hurt in a tackle in the 55th minute.
“Bryan’s done his MCL (medial collateral ligament) and, conservatively, he could be out for 10 weeks. He could be back after seven weeks but, conservatively, I’d say it’s 10,” Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said.
Habana is due to join French competition leaders Toulon after the season.
The Stormers scored three tries, leaving them one short of a bonus point while the Chiefs collected two bonus points, for scoring four tries and losing by less than eight points.
Fullback Joe Pietersen, promoted to first-choice goalkicker after a series of early-season misses by new five-eighth Elton Jantjies, finished with 21 points from five penalties and three conversions.
Right winger Gio Aplon crossed for two tries and scrum-half Nick Groom dotted down during the second half as the Stormers contradicted a reputation for being obsessed with defence by delivering a show of all-out attack.
The Chiefs have scored 14 tries in three outings – easily the best record among the 15 southern hemisphere championship teams – and played their part in a high-octane clash despite having two players sin binned.
Scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow was yellow carded after 33 minutes with the Chiefs trailing 16-10, and replacement forward Nick Crosswell was sent to the sideline five minutes from time.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Chiefs finished stronger and must fancy their chances of getting back on the winning trail when they play competition rookies the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Charlie Ngatai twice, fellow centre Tim Nanai-Williams and replacement back Andrew Horrell scored tries for the title-holders and fullback Gareth Anscombe contributed 14 points via four conversions and two penalties.
Each side scored two converted tries in an opening half which ended 26-17 in favour of the Stormers because Pietersen also succeeded with four penalties attempts while Anscombe had only one chance, which he slotted between the posts.
The Stormers increased their advantage to 33-20 when Groom touched down after outstanding lock Andries Bekker was stopped just short, but tries by Ngatai and Horrell ensured a nail-biting finish.
