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Springbok flyhalf Peter Grant has agreed to return to Cape Town for his seventh Super Rugby campaign.

Springbok flyhalf Peter Grant has agreed to return to Cape Town for his seventh Super Rugby campaign, and the Stormers are negotiating with Saracens to acquire nine-Test prop Deon Carstens.

Grant, who was last year released by Western Province to take up an offer from the Kobe Steelers, has re-signed for the Stormers and – as was the case earlier this year – he will return to Newlands at the conclusion of the Japanese Cup.

Meanwhile, the Stormers’ retreat from the Crusaders scrum during the Super 15, coupled with yet another long-term knee injury layoff for prop JC Kritzinger, has prompted talks with 32-year-old Carstens.

Though the former Sharks stalwart has yet to pen the deal, the Stormers are confident the English Premiership champions will allow Carstens an early exit from the two-year contract he signed in 2010.

Grant returned just in time for the Super 15 season opener against the Lions in February and started nine matches in the No 10 jersey. The emergence of Gary van Aswegen and Demetri Catrakilis as flyhalf contenders since then will make it difficult for the five-Test pivot to retain his position, though the Stormers may be better served with Grant at inside centre.

Carstens is by no means a dominant scrummager, but his experience and durability are two vital attributes for a young Stormers unit that has struggled with injuries.

Tighthead Frans Malherbe, 20, is a hot favourite to power into Springbok contention in the coming years while loosehead Steven Kitshoff, 19, held his own in a few cameo appearances this season.

Both of these youngsters could well be crushed by the impact of an arduous and unforgiving Super season, but the acquisition of Carstens would allow the Stormers to break them in slowly. - Cape Argus