Hlungwani dissects Stormers' state ahead of Euro tour
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that Stormers received a much-needed loosehead boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship European tour.
The Stormers will embark on their two-week tour on Tuesday, where they will take on Dragons at the Rodney Parade this Friday (May 10), before a match against Connacht in Galway the following Saturday (May 18).
With just three games left of the regular season, the two matches are crucial for the inaugural URC champs in their quest for the play-off spot.
They are currently fifth on the log with 45 points, just one point clear of Connacht (sixth), Ulster (seventh) and Benetton (eighth) who are all on 44 points.
A defeat on Friday could see the Cape Town side drop out of the top eight.
Speaking to reporters, Stormers forwards coach Hlungwani said the schedule including the break did the team well and could be the difference in overcoming the Capetonians’ dismal away form.
Earlier this season, the Stormers traveled to Europe and failed to secure a win. They suffered four defeats in four matches, including a 9-20 defeat to current log leaders Glasgow Warriors.
“With an off week, we are in a good space. We completed most of the preparation last week, so when we get there it will be mostly about recovery and the captain’s run.
“The guys had a long weekend to rest, but in terms of preparation we covered everything that we need for this Friday.”
He added: “This week we will have enough time to travel and recover so it should definitely put us on a good foot going forward.
“We are playing on Friday, which means we are off on Saturday and Sunday, which allows us to have a full training week before the match in Galway.”
Hlungwani revealed that the Stormers will receive an extra boost in the form of loosehead prop Sti Sithole.
The 31-year-old Sithole has been sidelined since March after he sustained an injury against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Sithole’s absence was a massive setback for the Stormers, who faced a loosehead crisis after the respective injuries of Lizo Gqoboka, Ali Vermaak, and Kwenzo Blose.
“Sti has been training,” Hlungwani said.
“He is one that stands out because he hasn’t played in a while, but he has been training.
“He will be up for selection.”
He added: “Sti has done really, really well.
“I’m not saying that Brok Harris or Kwenzo [Blose] didn’t do well in his absence, but we have been really happy he is back at training.
“His scrum work especially. When he’s in there, he competes really well. He wins a lot of penalties. He operates well with Neethling [Fouche], Frans [Malherbe] and the hookers.
“He is a big gain for us going forward into the business end of the competition.
“We are happy to have him back. We just want to get him into proper, full fitness so he can push to play 60 minutes. That’s the next job for us, to get him game fit again.”
The Stormers will reveal their 27-man touring squad on Tuesday.
