The DHL Stormers will not rush their returning Springboks back onto the frontlines to face Dragons at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

This comes after the Springboks concluded their 2022 Test campaign by beating England at Twickenham for the fist time in eight years. Veteran props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, lock Marvin Orie, No 8 Evan Roos and playmakers Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok were all involved in the Test match.

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Even though they were without their internationals, the Stormers still powered to a bonus-point victory over Ospreys in Cape Town as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship returned last weekend.

Briefing the media and providing a squad update, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed the Stormers were taking the long-term view to redeploying their returning Springboks.

“In terms of the Springboks, we will work on a case-by-case basis,” said Hlungwani. “We have tried to create a plan for each individual. The guys who have played a lot of rugby will get a rest. The others will filter in when they return to the country.”

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Hlungwani said that Roos, who suffered a rib injury against England, still has to go for scans upon arriving in South Africa before a call is made on his availability.

The Boks’ absence will give the likes of Neethling Fouche, lock Gary Porter and flyhalf Kade Wolhuter another opportunity to impress.

“It’s very exciting,” said tighthead prop Fouche. “We’ve got a few guys who have been training constantly but not getting game time. It’s really tough when you suddenly get your chance, it puts a lot of pressure on the guys.

“We saw how Gary ran the lineouts. Kade came back as the flyhalf general. It’s nice for the coaches to see the guys take their chances. It also speaks to the quality of the squad and what we are about at the Stormers.”

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