Unlike fellow tourists, the Sharks, who have both on and off-field issues, the Stormers seem to have assembled a strong 26-man touring squad who are happy on the road.
The group includes several players who will make a comeback to the game after injury layoffs, though at least two players – Eben Etzebeth and Elton Jantjies – will only be match-fit for the second tour game against the Blues.
Scarra Ntubeni, Rynhardt Elstadt and Bryan Habana have recovered sufficiently and will be up for selection for the first match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
All five returnees participated in Friday morning’s training session in Bellville, but the obvious question has to be whether it is that clever to bring them back straight into the hurly burly of Super Rugby. The tour has almost forced coach Allister Coetzee’s hand, and how they react will go a long way to deciding the success or failure of the tour.
“It will do us a world of good to be able to now call on players like Scarra, Eben, Rynhardt, Elton and Bryan,” said Coetzee.
Stormers touring squad: Gio Aplon, Andries Bekker, Martin Bezuidenhout, Pat Cilliers, Nizaam Carr, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (captain), Dewaldt Duvenage, Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, Deon Fourie, Nic Groom, Bryan Habana, Brok Harris, Elton Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Joe Pietersen, Gary van Aswegen, Louis Schreuder, Duane Vermeulen, Michael Rhodes, De Kock Steenkamp
Below a few tour pics posted to www.sportsnaps.co.za by Bryan Habana, who, for his sins, seems to have been seated next to a tight forward on every flight:
Stormers needs at worst a 3 out 4 record on tour to be in contention when they return. 4 out 4 if they cant score any bonus points!
The clean sweep is a very realistic possibility. I am not a fan of their 2012 defensive strategy, but would certainly support it if they go that route and return to Cape Town with 4 wins and 12 log points.
One thing is for certain…. They cannot leave qualification for the play-offs to be decided in the last game against the Bulls at Newlands.