Stormers catch their breath
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was forced to cancel Monday's training session in an attempt to manage the physical toll on his squad ahead of their big clash with the Sharks in Durban this weekend.
The Cape side secured top spot on the Super Rugby standings with a grinding victory over the Waratahs in difficult conditions at Newlands on Saturday and Coetzee explained that the decision to give the players more time off was based on medical advice.
He said: "This decision to cancel the Monday training session was done on medical advice because the Super Rugby has been incredibly exhausting and physically demanding.
"The medical staff have done a thorough analysis and their information is that we need to sharpen up. One of the best ways of doing that is to rest players ahead of what is a massively important game.
"It's so important to allow for the players' recovery and many of them were feeling more than their usual share of bumps and bruises today [Monday]. We're in for another big physical derby and it's all about managing players in a competition that is so tough," explained the Stormers coach.
Coetzee has had to deal with his fair share of injuries to key players this season, and although he has expressed confidence in the depth of talent at the union it was reported on Monday that the Stormers are in advanced negotiations with American national captain Todd Clever to bring him to Cape Town as a second short-term loan signing for the season.
With the first choice loose forwards Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster ruled out through injury Canadian international No.8 was brought over as a short-term solution two weeks ago, and he found himself in the starting line-up against the Waratahs following Nizaam Carr's season-ending knee injury sustained against the Cheetahs the week before.
Clever has finished his commitments with his Japanese club for the season and is apparently keen on returning to Super Rugby, having featured for the Lions a few years ago, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has fewer injury worries than his counterpart in the Cape, with the only concern surrounding centre Tim Whithead.
"Tim Whitehead’s groin is a bit tight and we're a little bit worried about him for this week but hopefully he'll be right later this week," he said.
Plumtree said that he expects flyhalf Pat Lambie to be passed fit for the showdown at Kings Park after overcoming the flu that ruled him out last week.
"I'm sure Pat will be fine for this week, he was really close to playing the Cheetahs but coming down with flu didn't help," he said.
The Sharks may have won their last three games, but Plumtree is under no illusions about the size of the effort it will take to stop a consistent Stormers side who have only lost one game so far this season.
"They're on a roll, they're a very confident side and we know what a challenge that's going to be at home this weekend," he said.