The Stormers received a timely boost on Monday as co-captains Juan de Jongh and Frans Malherbe were both declared fit for Saturday’s big Super Rugby clash against the Waratahs at Newlands.
De Jongh was ruled out last week Monday with concussion sustained against the Lions, but Malherbe’s withdrawal with the flu rocked the Cape side on match-day against the Reds, as it meant that they needed a new captain and tighthead prop.
Damian de Allende stepped in as the skipper and the extra responsibility seemed to affect his game as he doesn’t come across as a natural captain, and it resulted in a number of handling errors and other mistakes that led directly to two Reds tries in the 40-22 Stormers victory.
So, apart from coach Robbie Fleck, De Allende will also be relieved to know that the regular leaders are back.
In addition, hooker Scarra Ntubeni is also expected to return from a hamstring problem that saw him sit out the last two games against the Lions and Reds.
“Juan is fit again, and Frans will be back as well. We should be able to choose from the squad that we had last week, as unfortunately we had a couple of surprises last week,” forwards coach Russell Winter said at a press conference on Monday.
“But I think we will be good for this week, I don’t think there’s anything from the weekend. Scarra should be back as well. I say that, but he still has to do some fitness tests this week, but he should be back.”
De Jongh’s reappearance should see him slot in at outside centre alongside De Allende, with Johnny Kotze missing out against the Waratahs.
But they will have a tough task on their hands in defence as the Tahs finally found their rhythm after battling for most of the season by destroying the Western Force 49-13 in Perth, scoring six tries to one.
On top of that, the Sydney side’s coach Daryl Gibson recently moved Wallaby fullback Israel Folau to outside centre to form a potentially world-class midfield partnership with playmaker Kurtley Beale, with Wallaby No 10 Bernard Foley in tandem.
Foley will face new Stormers pivot Jean-Luc du Plessis, who told Independent Media on Monday that he should recover in time for Saturday’s clash (7.15pm kickoff) after leaving the field against the Reds with calf and thigh issues.
Du Plessis had special strapping on his right calf on Monday, but is likely to play.
@IndyCapeSport – Independent Media