Stormers' selection boost

 

Utility forward Rhodes has recovered from a hamstring injury which he suffered on the Stormers tour of Australasia, while wing Van Wyk is returning from a knee injury.

 

Jaco Taute will also be considered for selection after slowly returning to action in four Vodacom Cup appearances.

 

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is happy about the availability of his squad but admits it does leave him with some selection headaches.

 

"It’s a headache [a good one of course], as I said last weekend… [but] who do you leave out now that everyone is fit and available? It’s those decisions we need to make in a tough week with the Springbok training camp on the go, too, with 19 of our players in the camp," said Coetzee.

 

The bad news for the Stormers is that hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni could be sidelined for two weeks after suffering a Grade One calf muscle tear early in his team's 42-12 win over the Cheetahs.

 

Ntubeni limped off in the 19th minute of Saturday’s clash and could miss next week’s Sharks fixture in Durban, having initially only been ruled out of this weekend’s meeting with the Lions at Newlands.

 

The other injury in the camp is lock Ruan Botha (ankle) who has a bit of stiffness in his calf and won’t be risked this week. He should be fit for the Sharks match.

 

"It’s a blow [Ntubeni's injury], especially in a specialist position like hooker and hopefully he will be available for the Sharks game," explained Coetzee.

 

"However, his injury has opened the door for one of Mikey Willemse or Neil Rautenbach to put their hands up."

 

Commenting on the Lions game Coetzee said: "They ’re a big challenge – they ’re a confident team and playing good rugby. 

 

"They've done extremely well – the Waratahs are not an easy side to beat – and we know we’re in for a tough game against a team that asks a lot of questions of you, especially in the set-piece."