RUGBY NEWS - The good news for DHL Stormers fans was that Pieter-Steph du Toit was back in training when the Cape side began preparations on Monday for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders at Newlands.
The bad news though is that lock JD Schickerling will definitely be out of the game. According to defence coach Norman Laker, Schickerling sustained a hand injury against the Jaguares.
"I am not completely sure about the extent of JD's injury but he injured his hand in Buenos Aires and won't be playing against the Crusaders," said Laker.
First choice flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis also missed training due to a continuing slight hamstring strain that hampered him in the match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires nine days ago.
The Stormers have been on bye since then, and the fact that Du Plessis was unable to train on Monday should be seen as a concern.
According to Stormers sources, a decision will be made on Du Plessis's readiness to play on Tuesday dependent upon how the pivot comes through the training sessions that are planned.
Should he not be cleared to play Joshua Stander is likely to start in the No 10 jersey.
Stander started against the Brumbies in the first match back from overseas against the Brumbies when Du Plessis was injured.
Otherwise, the Stormers team is likely to be their strongest combination minus Du Plessis and Ruhan Nel, who was injured in the build-up to the Bulls game.
Wing Sergeal Petersen was also injured in the match against the Jaguares, with another former Blitzbok star Seabelo Senatla likely to replace him.
