John Dobson confirmed that the Stormers will get a double boost in their backline for their final match of the year against the Sharks on Saturday.
The Stormers will be strengthened by the return of inside centre Dan du Plessis for Saturday night’s Vodacom URC clash at Cape Town Stadium.
Du Plessis made 23 appearances last season in helping the Stormers progress to the final, but has yet to run out this season due to injury.
The Stormers have struggled for consistency in the No 12 jersey, with youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu impressing at the start of the season, before suffering a minor injury, which ruled him of action for December.
Damian Willemse’s return from international duty offset the loss, but the Springbok had to shift to fullback after Warrick Gelant was added to the medical ward ahead of last week’s clash with the Vodacom Bulls.
Jean-Luc du Plessis started at inside centre in the north-south derby in Cape Town and scored a first-half try, but was forced off just before half time due to a groin injury.
The Stormers ended with scrumhalf Paul de Wet on the wing, after Du Plessis’ replacement Clayton Blommetjies suffered a leg injury.
Speaking after the Stormers’ 26-20 victory, Dobson confirmed that he expects both Dan du Plessis and Gelant to be ready to face the Sharks.
“We said that the thing about this team is, [the injuries] didn’t bother us. I mean that in the best way,” Dobson said.
“What gives me real excitement is that now, we can throw in a Dan du Plessis and Warrick Gelant into the mix. We will have a few more back in January.
“We have sort of punched our way through our darkest hour in Cardiff and put together three really compelling performances, showing that we are a really class team of international standard.”
The match against the Sharks is the last of 2023 for the Stormers, as they will then take a short break before returning to action in the Champions Cup on 13 January.
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