The Stormers are set to field a weakened side for their second pool clash in the Champions Cup against Harlequins tomorrow night (10pm kick-off).
Although it is not ideal for the Cape side, who already lost their opener 24-14 against Toulon in Gqeberha last weekend, the duel at Twickenham Stoop will provide some fringe players the opportunity to stake a claim looking at the rest of the season.
We looked at five players who could impress coach John Dobson to push for more starts in the rest of the season...
Jurie Matthee
All eyes will be on the young Maties flyhalf, who steps in for two injured Springboks.
He’s not in the mould of a Manie Libbok or Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but his previous performance in the tournament makes him a valuable replacement.
Matthee will have to steer the ship and be tactically astute if he wants to stay in the flyhalf conversation in Cape Town.
He’s a good runner with the ball, is physical defensively, and his kicking boot is accurate when called upon.
Seabelo Senatla
The speedy wing recently made a comeback after a serious injury, and his first game was against Toulon, which did not end on a good note.
Senatla will be eager to show that he still has that edge.
Yes, tomorrow might not be ideal for a running rugby game, but his aerial skills under the high ball and his defence and breakdown play could be crucial to the Stormers’ cause should he get a run.
Miracles can’t yet be expected from him, but the way he has been training shows that he is eager to regain the form he had.
Salmaan Moerat
Plagued by injuries, the Stormers leader had a good 30-minute hit out last week Friday against Griquas to get some rugby into his legs.
He could be thrown into the deep end to provide some valuable experience and leadership to the Cape side tomorrow.
The lock will definitely embrace that challenge should director of rugby Dobson select him for a long-awaited comeback.
Moerat will be eager to put in a strong shift with ball-in-hand, defensively and in the lineouts to remind his coaches of his abilities.
JJ Kotze
The hooker has fallen down the pecking order at the Stormers after some really good performances at the start of his career.
So, should he get the opportunity tomorrow, he will be eager to remind his coaches of his abilities as a lineout-thrower and hard-working ball-carrier.
Kotze has been playing behind Springboks Joseph Dweba and André-Hugo Venter, but the Harlequins challenge could provide him with the chance to move out of their shadow and stake a claim to be more involved in the big games ahead.
Divan Fuller
The young loose forward was a late addition to the Stormers’ Champions Cup squad after the unfortunate broken leg that Keke Morabe suffered last weekend against Toulon.
Fuller’s a very capable defender and against a strong Harlequins, defence will be key. He is also a mobile back-rower, and could provide good front-foot ball on attack.
There have been calls for the youngster to be roped in by the senior side, and if he is, he will be eager to grab that opportunity.