Damian Willemse will be one of the returning injured players who the Stormers will look to gradually integrate ahead of the last few games in the United Rugby Championship.
Image: Phando Jikelo Independent Media
The inclusion of their returning injured star players will take centre stage over the next couple of weeks as the Stormers eye a place in the top six of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
While still in 12th on the official log, the Cape side will tour for two weeks in the middle of March, before returning to the Mother City for four home games in which they eye full points to boost their knockout bid.
Stars Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are tipped to return in the next few days to full squad training. They are also expected to be available for both the overseas games. Winger Suleiman Hartzenberg (broken hand) and utility back Jean-Luc du Plessis, alongside lock Connor Evans, should also come into the picture after recovering from their injuries.
The Stormers will play Scarlets, currently 10th on the log, and Ulster (14th) in Wales and Ireland respectively. There will be an eagerness to rope Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu in as soon as possible to get them fit and match-ready for the overseas games. However, given that Feinberg-Mngomezulu has had several injuries, it may be wise to exercise caution with him.
If Manie Libbok is still injured, Feinberg-Mngomezulu will likely take over the 10-jersey. After the outstanding performance of Jurie Matthee against the Bulls in wet weather, and the conditions in Wales that might suit a tight game, it could pay to keep Matthee in the saddle and gradually introduce Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willeme.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also expected to return to full team training with the Stormers ahead of their UK tour. Photo: Phando Jikelo Independent Media
Image: Phando Jikelo Independent Media
This is likely the approach that Stormers director of rugby John Dobson will take as they prepare for the two matches in the United Kingdom.
"About seven or eight guys are coming on strength for the tour in two weeks," Dobson said.
"Our team now changes quite a lot. This group, even though we didn't get that many wins, did extremely well. They were compelling at Ellis Park in terms of performance and not the outcome. We were very unlucky not to win in Cape Town (against the Bulls) and got the victory up at Loftus.
"But, with the guys coming back, naturally our game will change."
Dobson added that they had to be a bit more workmanlike with the players they had at their disposal over the last two months, but with the prospect of their front-line guys returning, it will change how they play. Those guys bring the X-factor, according to the Stormers mentor and it's not something they can coach.
"It's special players who can do crazy things. That will be our development now, to reintegrate them into the side."