The Stormers are confident that lock Eben Etzebeth will be fit to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday after all.
Head coach Robbie Fleck revealed last Saturday after their 35-8 win over the Jaguares that his enforcer has failed a concussion test and that he is unlikely to play against the New Zealanders in their first match on tour.
But defence coach Norman Laker revealed yesterday that Etzebeth is on the road to recovery and can still take the field at Westpac Stadium.
Laker says: “Everybody so far is fit to play. “Eben [Etzebeth] passed his first test, so everyone is looking ready and confident.
“Obviously Eben has other protocols that he needs to pass, but we have an extra day this week because our game against the Jaguares was played on a Friday, so that gives Eben extra time to be ready.
"We are confident he will be fit to play on Saturday.”
With his Springboks set to miss a match on tour - because of their agreement with SA Rugby - it would make sense for Fleck to rest Etzebeth for the clash, with both Chris van Zyl and Salmaan Moerat waiting in the wings.