Stormers training called off

Cape Town - Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said his side had to cancel a training session on medical advice, ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

"This decision to cancel the Monday training session was done on medical advice because the Super Rugby (competition) has been incredibly exhausting and physically demanding," said Coetzee.

After last weekend's match at Newlands against the Waratahs, Coetzee made a tongue-in-cheek comment that he would be resting his players throughout the week and instead settle only for the usual captain's run a day before the match.

Coetzee said on Monday that his comments were reported as 'gospel' and he was left wondering if the Sharks thought his side were underestimating the Durban franchise.

"It's so important to allow for the players' recovery and many of them were feeling more than their usual share of bumps and bruises today [Monday]."

"We're in for another big physical derby and it's all about managing players in a competition that is so tough."

Coetzee said the main objective this week was to ensure that the Stormers have 22 fresh players, with refreshed bodies, to take the field.

"The medical staff have done a thorough analysis and their information is that we need to sharpen up,"

"One of the best ways of doing that is to rest players ahead of what is a massively important game."

Saturday's outcome could decide if we have to play home or away in the playoff rounds.

"We won't be silly and just take a break for the fun of it. At this stage it is the logical thing to do, especially when one looks at all the injuries suffered by all the (Super Rugby) squads this season."