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Cape Town - The Stormers are sweating over the availability flank Marnus Schoeman, who copped a blow to the head in training on Thursday.
Schoeman, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday, recently joined the Stormers on a loan spell from the Pumas.
According to Netwerk24, he will undergo Tests on Friday to determine possible concussion.
Schoeman was subsequently withdrawn from the Stormers squad named to tackle the Lions in a pre-season game at Newlands on Saturday.
The fetcher flank’s unavailability will be a headache for Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who already has to make do without new recruit Stephan de Wit,who broke his ankle shortly after arriving from the Lions. He is only expected to be available in July.
Schoeman’s availability will therefore be vital for the Stormers, who start their Super Rugby campaign at home against the Bulls on Saturday, February 25.
When the news broke of his arrival in the Cape, Schoeman said he was eager to prove himself.
“Obviously, it is every player’s dream to play for the Springboks, and Super Rugby is the stepping stone to this. I really want to make the best of the opportunity during the prime of my career,” Schoeman said via a press statement.
The player also confirmed that he will remain committed to the Pumas.
“My time with the Pumas has been fantastic and I don’t see returning as a step back for me at all. The new coach Brent Janse van Rensburg is installing a whole new plan and culture, which I really look forward to being a part of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fleck has named a 30-man squad for the friendly against the Lions.
It will be the final pre-season run out for the Cape franchise before the season-proper.
The Stormers have already played two friendlies this season, beating the Cheetahs 43-7 in Zimbabwe and the SWD Eagles 57-14 in George.
Fleck says his players are excited to have their first run out at home.
“It is always special to play at Newlands and after a tough pre-season the players are excited to play in front of our fans,” he told the Stormers’ official website.
Fleck believes that a match against the Lions, last year's losing Super Rugby finalists, will give a great indication of the where his team sit in terms of preparation for the upcoming season.
“We have worked hard over the past couple of months, so we want to put that into practice against the Lions who were one of the form teams in the competition last year.
“It will be important for us to look at certain combinations and make sure that everyone has some good game time under their belts before the season gets underway,” he said.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 15:00.
Teams:
Stormers squad
Juarno Augustus, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Juan de Jongh, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Rob du Preez, Dewaldt Duvenage, Rynhardt Elstadt, JC Janse van Rensburg, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, SP Marais, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Caylib Oosthuizen, Ramone Samuels, JD Shickerling, Chris van Zyl, Jano Vermaak, EW Viljoen, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Eduard Zandberg, Leolin Zas
Lions
15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Howard Mnisi, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Fabian Booysen, 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Andries Ferreira, 20 Lourens Erasmus, 21 Robert Kruger, 22 Jaco Kriel, 23 Victor Sekekete, 24 Dillon Smit, 25 Andries Coetzee, 26 Harold Vorster, 27 Antony Volmink, 28 Jacques Nel, 29 Sylvian Mahuza
