Forgotten Springbok Hilton Lobberts is back in Cape Town to give his Stormers dream a final push.
Lobberts was a surprise inclusion in the Stormers’ 28-man squad for Saturday’s pre-season warm-up matches against Cape Town’s varsity teams at Florida Park.
The 33-year-old, who is back in the Mother City to play for Hamiltons, made his Bok debut as a 20-year-old back in 2006 against England at Twickenham. He only played one Test after that - against New Zealand in Christchurch 13 years ago.
The former New Orleans in Paarl scholar then swapped the Bulls for the Stormers in 2009 and spent three seasons at the Newlands franchise.
Lobberts left Cape Town in 2012 to join San Dona in Italy, before returning to South Africa where he had stints with Griquas, the Cheetahs and the Pumas.
On Saturday, though, he will be out to prove to Stormers coach John Dobson that he still has what it takes to play at a high level - whether it be in the looseforward department or in the middle of the scrum.
FIT AGAIN: Loosehead prop Ali Vermaak is ready to rumble. Picture: BackpagePix.
There is also a welcomed return to the squad for loosehead prop Ali Vermaak, who missed much of last season because of injury.
Of coming up against the varsity teams, Dobson says: “We know that the varsities will all be going flat-out, which is exactly what we need in our first pre-season game.
“We have a nice blend of experienced players in need of game-time and talented young players who will be keen to prove themselves, which should make for some good rugby.
SCOUTING: Coach John Dobson. Picture: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix.
“We are also looking forward to spending some time with the local community and starting 2020 in amongst our Faithful supporters.”
The Stormers play their first 20-minute match against UCT at 1.30pm, before also facing Maties, a WP XV and CPUT.
Stormers Varsity Day squad:
Kwenzo Blose, Deon Carstens, Ben-Jason Dixon, Lucky Dlepu, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Schalk Erasmus, Brendon Esterhuizen, Neethling Fouche, Hannes Gous, Michal Haznar, Lyle Hendricks, Thys Kitshoff, David Kriel, Hilton Lobberts, Leon Lyons, Godlen Masimla, David Meihuizen, Matt Moore, Juan Mostert, Sihle Njezula, Sazi Sandi, Cornel Smit, Chad Solomon, Abner van Reenen, Ernst van Rhyn, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.