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Bloemfontein - Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg is facing at least four weeks on the sidelines, but his loss could be offset by the return of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter.
According to the allblacks.com website, Dagg was among four players who returned home this week, with wing Sean Maitland, utility back Adam Whitelock and scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i all returning home as the Crusaders counted the cost of one of their greatest wins against the Stormers.
The 20-14 victory in Newlands was a significant reverse after the Crusaders were thumped 42-14 by the Stormers last season, meaning that the seven-time champions overtook their beaten foes in competition points, although they sit behind them on the overall table (with the Stormers third as the South African conference leader, and the Crusaders fourth as the highest placed wildcard team).
Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Steve Alfeld and Brent Ward will join the team as reinforcements.
The four injured join six All Blacks on the sidelines, but pending on fitness tests McCaw and Carter could be named in the starting side to face the Cheetahs.
Andy Ellis is still approximately a month away from recovering from his broken thumb, while Ben Franks lower back continues to be monitored.
All Black locks Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock will hope to be back in time for the big derby clash with the Chiefs in Napier (May 21) and the massive fixture against the Reds in Brisbane (May 29).
But first the Crusaders have to contend with a reinvigorated Cheetahs team.
It seems that Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has decided to get his team to unleash all out attack, and with four of their five remaining matches at home, the South Africans have the potential to become dangerous floaters.
While the Crusaders have won four of the five matches between the sides, scoring 30 tries against the Cheetahs and winning 45-6 in Christchurch last season, the South Africans did stun the then reigning champions 20-13 the last time they were in Bloemfontein.
According to the allblacks.com website, Dagg was among four players who returned home this week, with wing Sean Maitland, utility back Adam Whitelock and scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i all returning home as the Crusaders counted the cost of one of their greatest wins against the Stormers.
The 20-14 victory in Newlands was a significant reverse after the Crusaders were thumped 42-14 by the Stormers last season, meaning that the seven-time champions overtook their beaten foes in competition points, although they sit behind them on the overall table (with the Stormers third as the South African conference leader, and the Crusaders fourth as the highest placed wildcard team).
Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Steve Alfeld and Brent Ward will join the team as reinforcements.
The four injured join six All Blacks on the sidelines, but pending on fitness tests McCaw and Carter could be named in the starting side to face the Cheetahs.
Andy Ellis is still approximately a month away from recovering from his broken thumb, while Ben Franks lower back continues to be monitored.
All Black locks Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock will hope to be back in time for the big derby clash with the Chiefs in Napier (May 21) and the massive fixture against the Reds in Brisbane (May 29).
But first the Crusaders have to contend with a reinvigorated Cheetahs team.
It seems that Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has decided to get his team to unleash all out attack, and with four of their five remaining matches at home, the South Africans have the potential to become dangerous floaters.
While the Crusaders have won four of the five matches between the sides, scoring 30 tries against the Cheetahs and winning 45-6 in Christchurch last season, the South Africans did stun the then reigning champions 20-13 the last time they were in Bloemfontein.
