The DHL Stormers are without injured lock Salmaan Moerat, but have a few tricks up their sleeve for the north-south derby against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Friday.
Along with the injured Moerat, there were doubts over backs Ruhan Nel and Leolin Zas in the aftermath of the Champions Cup win over London Irish on Saturday.
However, providing an update on the Stormers’ injury list on Monday, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said that not only were Zas and Nel training, but Gary Porter and Evan Roos were also on the training ground.
“The only big challenge is Salmaan with a suspected knee injury,” Hlungwani added. “He obviously didn’t train [on Monday] and the doctors will still give us a final diagnosis. It is not looking too good there.
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“Zas and Ruhan were running around in training and we will still see if they are completely fit. I don’t think that they are injuries that are worth missing a game. Salmaan will probably not make it this weekend.”
Porter and Roos are recovering from rib injuries against Clermont and England, respectively. Their availability could be key in Moerat’s absence, especially as the Stormers are also without versatile forwards Adre Smith and Ernst van Rhyn.
“[Moerat] is a big loss,” Hlungwani said. “It is never easy when we lose a Springbok player.
“Salmaan does really well for us, but it is a part of rugby. Even though we can’t play Salmaan, there are guys who are ready and willing to take the opportunity to wear that No 4 jersey and, hopefully, put their hands up so when Salmaan does come back, he will have to fight for it.
“I think we have enough depth. Connor [Evans] did well when he was sent on and we have guys like Simon Miller and Ben-Jason Dixon. Gary is also training. So there is going to be a good opportunity for someone to seize and provide good competition.”
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