DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson said that the depth they have created at the DHL Stormers resulted in several players who have gained good experience this season to fall back on.
“This time last year the situation might have made me a bit jittery but we have spread our depth to the point that we have plenty of players who have gained good experience this season to fall back on so I am relatively relaxed in comparison to how I might have been 12 months ago,”
Probably the biggest concern is the availability of loose forward Deon Fourie who picked up a hamstring injury in the quarterfinal win over the Bulls last weekend.
“It’s tough because there is no tomorrow with it being a semifinal and everything and with his own aspirations this year it is probably a tricky risk to take. That is where our mind is at the moment.
“If we were to win, we also have his own aspirations to take into consideration. We don’t want to jeopardise his chances of being fit to challenge for a place in the Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup."
“There is no pressure on him. If he wants to play then that is lekker. We haven’t ruled him out yet, but we have made plans without him as well, so it is 50-50.”
“His concern is that jackal position, which is how he hurt his hamstring. He feels good but I know there is a bit of worry and he can’t play if he has those worries.”
"We will make a call at the captain’s practice on Friday."
Missing from the training on Tuesday was Springbok Marvin Orie. Dobson said Orie wasn’t at training and was at his medical appointment.
“Marvin did train yesterday (Tuesday) but he complained that he was a bit sore today. He’s gone for a scan. Hopefully, he will be fine, I am quite positive about it, it was really that this was the only time he could get an appointment at the medical specialist. The thing about Marvin is that he’s always very keen to play so it would have to be really bad to keep him out.”
Gary Porter would replace Orie if he didn’t face Connacht and the off-season buy by the Stormers has played well enough in his appearances in the senior team to inspire confidence.
The same can be said for Willie Engelbrecht, who although not the same type of player as Fourie is a quality player to have as a backup for the starting team.