The Stormers XXIII are hoping two key men will be fit for Sunday’s Currie Cup clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
Captain Jean-Luc du Plessis (knee) and loosehead prop Oli Kebble (shoulder) departed early in last week’s season-opening win over defending champions Griquas and have been given until Thursday to prove their fitness.
Should they be declared fit, it would be a massive shot in the arm for Tom Dawson-Squibb’s charges ahead of the trip to Wellington, where the Capetonians lost 54-26 in a pre-season friendly on 5 July.
Speaking in a Stormers press conference on Tuesday, forwards coach Helmut Lehmann told reporters: “With Oli, medically he has been checked, he did have a scan on that shoulder.
“He didn’t train today or yesterday and later this week, we’ll make a decision on his availability, when we get the proper feedback from our doctors in terms of the extent of the injury.
“JL also didn’t partake in these last two days of training. With a nine-day turnaround between matches, it gives us a bit more time for the guys to sort out their niggles.
“On Thursday when we announce the team we will likely know, medically, if he can play or not.”
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Looking ahead to the Cavaliers challenge, Lehmann says they’re expecting a tough game in the Winelands after Hawies Fourie’s troops beat the Vodacom Bulls XV 24-10 this past Sunday, last season’s semi-finalists scoring three tries to one in wet and muddy conditions.
“Having another opportunity three weeks later for an opportunity to improve gets us excited,” Lehmann said.
“They’ve got a proper set-up there and the way they play on Sundays, or any game, it’s exciting rugby and they bring the people to the ground – and that’s where the pressure cooker comes in.”
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He also acknowledged the importance for the Stormers to maintain discipline, having conceded two yellow cards and repeated penalties at Cape Town Stadium on Friday that let Griquas gain a foothold before Stefan Ungerer’s late try secured the result.
“That was the frustrating part about Friday night; our discipline was poor … it put the team under a lot of pressure,” Lehmann said.
“It’s not going to be any better for us if we continue with that ill-discipline, especially at Boland.”
Hooker Vernon Paulo, who barged over the whitewash for the Stormers’ first of three tries on the night, added: “We were very eager to face Griquas and as we analysed in our meetings, that’s not the way that’s going to win us a game, or we’re going to be as lucky as to get back in a game with 12 penalties in the first half.
“All the teams find it difficult to play at Boland Park on a Sunday, with all the people pitching up. We know there’ll be noise … but it’s about us and delivering on the day.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Stormers sweat on duo ahead of ‘pressure cooker’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers XXIII are hoping two key men will be fit for Sunday’s Currie Cup clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
The post Stormers sweat on duo ahead of ‘pressure cooker’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
