Springbok halfback pair Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies will have a chance to put their feet up while the DHL Stormers take on Ospreys and Cardiff in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. DYLAN JACK reports.
Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman on Monday confirmed that Willemse and Jantjies has returned to Cape Town to rest, after a heavy workload during the Test season.
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On the other hand, the Stormers will be joined in Wales by fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who missed the weekend’s game against Zebre in Parma due to his wedding.
“We are sending Herschel and Damian home, just for the rest they need to get in after being involved in the series against Wales and the Rugby Championship,” Snyman told media from Parma on Monday.
“Clayton had his wedding. Fortunately, he said he will have his honeymoon at a later stage, so he is on his way.”
The Stormers will also be without hooker Chad Solomon for the two fixtures in Wales, after he suffered a bicep injury two minutes after coming off the bench against Zebre.
JJ Kotze will be flown over as injury cover, after returning to fitness through the Toyota Challenge fixture against the Pumas on Sunday.
“We are still waiting to see what’s happing with Chad. He tore his bicep,” said Snyman. “Luckily, JJ went well over the weekend against the Pumas and he will get on the plane to come over and join us as backup.”
Sacha Mngomezulu’s performance against Zebre, where the 20-year-old scored 22 points in his first start in the URC, has given the Stormers some comfort in terms of their playmaking options.
“At this stage, we have a little bit of depth,” said Snyman. “Especially with Sacha coming through. It’s great that he can play next to Manie, at inside centre. He will be learning from Manie and, at some stage this season, he will step in at flyhalf when we need to give Manie a breather.
“It’s great to not only have Sacha, but also see Kade Wolhuter playing over the weekend. In terms of that position, the future is looking bright.”
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The Stormers will be departing for Wales on Tuesday afternoon and take on Ospreys in Swansea on Friday evening.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
