Unsettled Stormers hope to break duck

Rocked by injury setbacks, you can hardly call the Stormers a settled bunch going into today’s final leg of their Super Rugby tour against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Having lost 34-27 to the Waratahs and 45-28 to the Crusaders, the Stormers are still searching for their first tour win.

Having named five changes to the side who staged a fighting comeback in the second half against the Crusaders, coach Robbie Fleck (right) said they are looking to end their tour on a high.

“We have had some brave performances on this tour and the players are looking forward to the challenge in Dunedin,” Fleck said.

It is doubtful whether they will gamble with the health of lock Pi- eter-Steph du Toit who suffered concussion last week after a monster tackle from Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’Unga.

Du Toit was named on the bench and bracketed with flyhalf George Whitehead after being monitored the entire week. But with health protocols in place, a final decision on him is being delayed until the 11th hour.

If Du Toit is ruled out, Whitehead will be the third back on the bench, but if Du Toit ends up playing, the Stormers will go on the bench with a split of six forwards and just two backs.

The Stormers should be more worried about the threat the Highlanders will pose at the back with All Blacks in halfbacks Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga, wing Waisake Naholo and fullback Ben Smith.

While the Stormers have recalled young flyhalf Damian Willemse after a leg injury, his lack of experience could be exposed, while the injuries of lock JD Schickerling and flank Cobus Wiese have further crippled the side.

At 20, lock Salmaan Moerat is set to make his Stormers debut off the replacements bench.

Kick-off: 8.35am