Stormers boosted for Sharks' clash

 

The Argentinean international has been laid-off for a large chunk of the season with torn wrist ligaments.

 

Carizza was spotted training on Monday with a Stormers' team depleted by the Springbok training camp happening at the same time.

 

Coach Allister Coetzee has praised the towering lock's return to fitness and says he is definitely in contention for selection.

 

"Carizza is looking good and he's in our selection plans for this week," said Coetzee.

 

"It looks like he has recovered well.

 

As it so often is with the Stormers, any injury boost is often followed by certain injury losses.

 

With Burger and De Villiers set to miss the showdown in Durban it seems likely that stand-in captain Duane Vermeulen will lead the Stormers in Durban.

 

As a result of the Bok camp, the Stormers will not have a full-scale training session this week, even though the players may be returning to Cape Town on Wednesday morning.

 

"Usually when the players come back from a Bok training camp we don't let them train flat out straight away.

 

"They do need a break and then Thursday is the team's rest day. 

 

"By the looks of things, we'll only have the match-day squad working out together at the 'Captain's Run' in Durban on Friday."

 

The disruptions to the Stormers camp are minor in comparison to the Sharks who have nine players who started their last match against the Blues missing compared to the Cape sides four.

 

Coetzee said he expected a tough day against the Sharks.

 

"We are in for a very, very tough game because the Sharks are not the log-leaders for nothing.

 

"This match will be one of the biggest challenges for us this year."

 

The Sharks return from a highly successful overseas tour where they picked up three victories as well as a bonus point in their only loss to the Brumbies.

 

The Stormers have gathered the first indications of momentum with two back-to-back victories at Newlands.

 

However, the Stormers away record looks dismal, especially in comparison with the Sharks home record which has only seen the table-toppers slip up twice – against the Bulls and Highlanders