Senatla in Stormers frame
Seabelo Senatla, one of three players short-listed as World Rugby's Sevens player of the year, could feature for the Stormers during their run-in to the Super Rugby play-offs.
Senatla, fellow South African Sevens star Werner Kok and Fijian Semi Kunatani have been short-listed for the prestigious Sevens Player of the Year award – as well as being named in the World Series Dream Team.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed that Senatla is in the running for Stormers selection.
However, it is unlikely he will be selected for the encounter with the Rebels at Newlands on Saturday.
"We will need to take a look at him, to see where he is at mentally and physically," Coetzee told a media briefing.
"However, we could give him off this week to energise him before getting him back into the mix.
"I want to ensure that he is 100 percent ready and in the right frame of mind before making a call on him [selection-wise] and we will see him on Tuesday."
Senatla played two games for the Stormers last year, also after the completion of his Sevens commitment, before featuring in six Currie Cup games for Western Province.
Senatla and the rest of the South African Sevens team returns from London on Tuesday – where they finished as runners-up in the Plate competition in the ninth and final leg, as well as second overall in the Sevens World Series.
The Stormers returned from their bye week with no major injury concerns, ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Rebels.
Johnny Kotze (ankle stiffness) sat out Monday's afternoon session with a minor niggle, whilst fellow wing Kobus van Wyk remains on track for the Lions match on June 6.
Flanker Michael Rhodes missed training with a cold, but will hopefully join team training soon as he nears his comeback from a hamstring injury.
Centre Jaco Taute will again play in the Vodacom Cup (Western Province) team, as his comeback from a knee injury continues to gather momentum.
He has now played two games in a row for WP.
Coetzee said they are expecting a tough challenge from the Australian visitors.
"The Rebels have beaten the Crusaders and the Brumbies away this year, so it shows their capacity as a team," the Stormers coach said.
"We've had a good bye, with three big games coming up at Newlands, but it's all about this weekend and getting the victory.
"We need to get certain things right again, and we've looked at that, so it's more about ensuring we are strong and better as a team rather than worrying about our opponents."
