The Stormers are sweating on the fitness of Damian de Allende ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders at Newlands on Saturday.
The inside centre suffered a leg injury in the 19-all draw with the Crusaders last weekend, while hooker Bongi Mbonambi is also nursing an injured quadricep as they prepare to host another New Zealand team in the Mother City.
Of the injuries in their squad, assistant coach Dawie Snyman says: “We will be monitoring him [De Allende this week]. Bongi did his quad and went for scans yesterday [on Monday] and we’re still waiting on feedback.”
If De Allende, nicknamed Doogz, is not ready to take the field on Saturday, the Stormers have a number of options in the midfield.
Snyman explains: “If Damian is unavailable, a guy like EW [Viljoen] might get an opportunity.
“We will also have to look at a guy like Dan Kriel - I thought he did well when he got onto the field [against the Crusaders].”
Another option would be to use Josh Stander at inside centre. Snyman, though, says shifting fullback Damian Willemse into the position is a no-go.
He adds: “He [Willemse] is going nicely at fullback, Josh Stander played about 75 minutes at 12 against the Blues, so we’re looking at our flyhalves covering that position.
“We don’t want to move Damian from the back, I think he’s doing well there in terms of the kicking game and counterattack.”