Boosted by the successful return of JD Schickerling, the DHL Stormers are considering unleashing a Bomb Squad of replacements when the squad returns to full strength this season.
Schickerling, who returned to the DHL Stormers from a stint with Japan, made a successful Vodacom URC debut against Ospreys in Bridgend, where he capped an excellent performance with a try.
The 29-year-old partnered Ruben van Heerden in the second row and the duo ensured that the Stormers’ lineouts operated at 100% efficiency.
With the Stormers awaiting the return of Springbok vice-captain Salmaan Moerat from international duty and with enforcer Adre Smith in the squad, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani is excited about the potential of having two sets of locks in a matchday squad.
“We are very lucky to have the four that have been mentioned, but we actually have six including Connor Evans and Gary Porter, who are currently injured,” Hlungwani said. “We are lucky to have those high-quality locks. It’s pleasing.
“Going forward, we will have to sit and talk about how we manage them. It will be great to have two guys starting and then two guys with similar qualities coming on to impact the second half. It will give us a nice edge.
“We want to use these guys as much as we can, making sure we get the best out of them.”
The Stormers are currently in Parma, where they will look to bounce back from a season-opening defeat to Ospreys.
Hlungwani was pleased with how the set-piece operated in Wales, but added that a full training week will help the Stormers fix what went wrong in their campaign opener.
“The lineouts went really well. We were quite happy with that. It’s something we want to build on. It’s not just about the lineouts, it’s the big picture that we want to focus on.
“We thought the scrums went really well. There were a couple of decision that should’ve gone our way that didn’t. We are happy with the set-piece, but not with the loss.
“We have a full training week here. There’s no travel this week. We arrived on Sunday, so that means we have full training on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and then we can have an off day on Thursday.”
Photo: Gareth Everett/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
