Argentine lock Manuel Carizza looks to be fit to rejoin the Stormers ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Sharks in Durban, news that will certainly put a smile on coach Allister Coetzee’s face, after he’s been forced to limp along with a makeshift second row for much of the season.
The news isn’t all good on the injury front, however; with captain Jean de Villiers already ruled out for the rest of the campaign, another back will join him on the sideline, with exciting young winger Kobus van Wyk picking up a wrist injury that will rule him out of this weekend’s match.
In perhaps the biggest blow, though, the team may loose another leader in vice captain Schalk Burger, who hurt his neck against the Cheetahs last weekend and has been under observation at the Bok camp this week. According to Coetzee, a call on Burger’s availability will be made late in the week, with the odds slightly against him being fit to play.
Complicating matters for the Stormers this week, more than a third of their anticipated match-day squad are currently with the Boks in Durban and will only return to Cape Town tomorrow. This will, in effect, mean no more than a single captain’s run on Friday to serve as preparation for Saturday’s big derby.

This news might just be misleading to the sharks and PLEASE dear lord Ouens DO NOT GET COMPLACENT against the last 2 SA teams that we face!!!
Strange that the Bok camp is in Durban and not Cape Town…probably the beautiful “winter” weather we have here, feels like Spring.
@R Hayward (Comment 1) : THe Bok announcement after the game should at least make sure the boys bring their A-game….especially those who didn’t get a call
We should be prepared for the Stormers to throw the kitchen sink at us regardless. Also, how many of our guys are at the camp as well? Will we then also only have a captain’s run before the game Saturday?
We also have a large number at the camp. I am so worried about this game !!! The Stormers have the knack of doing nasty things when they should just go through the motions
@FireTheLooser (Comment 3) : Yeah but I always have this fear that it might do the opposite for those already selected! Fear of getting injured before making the trimmed squad.
Any news on Frans Steyn.
I see HM says he might miss the June internationals because of a niggling knee injury that he has been struggling with.
I wouldn’t be too upset if Frans were to sit out these matches if he is able to return to the Sharks side well rested and injury free.
Why not give all the senior Boks a rest against Scotland or so, and give the 2nd and 3rd choice players a go?
@Son Of Mayhem (Comment 8) : that’d be a great idea for our tiring players
@jonnow (Comment 7) : Agreed, Steyn needs a rest in the ” bok break” section, we need him fresh for the play offs!
@Another Nick (Comment 4) : If both teams only get a captains run I guess it`ll boil down to who`s been the best coached side so far this year . . .
Jake 1 – 0 Coetzee
@Original Pierre (Comment 11) : ja it’s going to be interesting!!!
@Original Pierre (Comment 11) :
Like!