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Stormers worry over Grant

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - Lionel Cronjé may continue at flyhalf for the Stormers when they play the Sharks in their Super Rugby match at Newlands next Saturday.

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck told Sport24 on Wednesday that Peter Grant has not yet fully recovered from his knee injury.

"Bash is still struggling a bit and the knee is still a little swollen. Hopefully he will be able to play for us against the Sharks, but we won't push him too hard," said Fleck.

"If he can't play, we will be happy to play Lionel."

Fleck rates Grant's chances of being fit for the Sharks game at "50-50".

Jean de Villiers (centre) and Bryan Habana (wing) trained this week and should be available.

The Stormers have pulled up flyhalf Kurt Coleman from the Western Province Vodacom Cup team and he may well be among the substitutes.

"Kurt is in a similar mould to Gary van Aswegen. His passes and kicks well," said Fleck.

Cronjé was sent on in the 13th minute against the Lions last Saturday when Van Aswegen tore a knee ligament.

"I think Lionel performed well. It was difficult for him considering that he did not have the opportunity of training with the team. His options were good and I like the way he took the ball to the line and created space for the guys," said Fleck.

It will nevertheless be a major test for the Stormers' depth if they take Cronjé and Coleman into the game.

Cronjé is the third choice at flyhalf and Coleman effectively fifth choice as Sam Lane suffered a serious knee injury earlier in WP's Vodacom Cup campaign.

The Sharks should have Springbok backline ace Patrick Lambie available at flyhalf.

Jacques-Louis Potgieter deputised for Lambie in their last match against the Stormers.

Fleck expects Lambie's return will boost the Sharks.

"They are a better team with Lambie. He is a quality player and runs the show. It won't be the same Sharks team that played against us in Durban. They will be out for revenge."

As things stand, the Stormers are four log points ahead of the Sharks and therefore the importance of next Saturday's match within the context of the South African conference can hardly be over-emphasised.

The Stormers will get four points for a bye this weekend, while the Sharks play the Hurricanes in Durban.
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