Coach John Dobson waits anxiously on whether the Stormers can secure Free State Cheetahs hooker Wilmar Arnoldi on loan again.
Arnoldi (27) recently linked up with the Stormers from the Cheetahs after the Capetonians successfully negotiated a short-term deal for the former Maties star.
Hooker has emerged as a problem position for the Stormers, with Scarra Ntubeni, Andre-Hugo Venter and Chad Solomon all sidelined.
But Arnoldi has returned to the Free Staters, who face a potential hooker crisis themselves while in the throes of an unbeaten title-chasing Currie Cup campaign.
France-based Springbok Joseph Dweba is reportedly close to completing a deal to join the Stormers, but only from 1 July.
READ: Stormers set to sign Bok hooker
The Stormers face Scarlets in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in Wales on 21 May, and Dobson is keen on roping in Arnoldi for the trip.
A report in Sunday newspaper Rapport quoted Dobson saying: “He impressed me a lot. However, everything depends on our relationship with the Cheetahs.
“The agreement was that we would only borrow him for the week [to face Leinster]. However, it will be worthwhile to talk to them again [about using him].”
But, coach Hawies Fourie says the Cheetahs may not be in a position to release Arnoldi. “It’s a difficult one,” Fourie said of the Stormers’ possible request for the rake.
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“I spoke to Greg Hechter, their high-performance manager, last week and explained to him that Janus Venter, our fourth hooker, played for the Griffons and suffered an injury.
“He has been out for at least three weeks. It will probably not be possible to lend Wilmar to them. I did say that they could see if they could get him a visa. It’s a problem too, he does not have a visa.
“We will then watch our match against the Sharks [on Saturday]. I would like to use him there. If all three of our hookers are ready after the fight against the Sharks, then we will consider releasing Wilmar for the week we do not play.
“He will probably be loaned to them on the 21st. But if we get an injury, we will not be able to borrow it.”
