The Stormers will get a timely injection of fit-again stars for their must-win Super Rugby derby against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.
After weeks of losing players, coach Robbie Fleck will be a happy man with no fewer than five of his stars set to return this week.
Winger Seabelo Senatla should be available again after suffering concussion in the defeat to the Lions two weeks ago and missing last week’s win over the Sunwolves.
He might be joined in the backline by fit-again fullback SP Marais and Springbok centres Ruhan Nel and Damian de Allende.
Marais suffered a hip injury while on their tour of Australasia, while Nel should also be ready to go after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
De Allende sat out the Sunwolves match because of an agreement with Saru, meaning he will be available again for the crunch clash.
ALL-ACTION MAN: Returning Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni, centre. Photo: Nic Bothma/EPA.
In a further boost, hooker Scarra Ntubeni will also be back, with Fleck saying last week: “Seabelo [Senatla] is certainly someone we can expect to be back, the same with Scarra Ntubeni.
“Damian de Allende also and then there’s still Ruhan Nel and SP Marais.”
Fleck will also be hoping that lock JD Schickerling and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will be ready for the clash.
The Stormers, meanwhile, are sure to miss scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, who suffered a collarbone injury against the Sunwolves.
Lions v Stormers | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 16 Highlights
The @LionsRugbyCo's finals ambitions remain on track with a 41-22 mauling of @THESTORMERS in Johannesburg. #SuperRugby #LIOvSTO pic.twitter.com/uzJuSJ8dkj
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) June 1, 2019
But the return of veteran scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, who replaced Jantjies in that clash, is yet another fortuitous boost for Fleck and his men as they look to win the match and thereby securing a place in the playoffs.
Of the match against the Sharks, Fleck says: “We have given ourselves a fighting chance to qualify.
“It is all about getting the win, that’s it.
“We are going to put the plans early in place and just build to give the boys confidence to get a win this weekend.
CENTRAL ROLE: Ruhan Nel. Photo: Backpagepix.
“Our home record has been good. The only game we have lost at home was against the Brumbies, which was a game we dominated and should have won.
“We are very proud of our home record and will do absolutely everything we can to get the win and play well.”