Illness ravages Fleck’s battered squad

The Stormers are not just struggling to get back on the Super Rugby winning path – but also with illness.

Coach Robbie Fleck confirmed yesterday – as he made three changes to face the Blues at Newlands tomorrow – that at least six of the squad were down with flu and couldn’t take part in training.

“It is great to be back home and despite some difficulties this week with illness, the players are determined to put up a big performance,” said Fleck, after losing all three matches on tour.

“We always look forward to playing at Newlands and the match against the Blues promises to be another memorable one,” he said.

Craig Barry, who can play wing and fullback, is in line to make his Stormers debut from the bench after the 25-year-old recently returned from spending some time on loan with the Cheetahs.

In the backline, Dillyn Leyds moves to fullback in place of the injured SP Marais, who is suffering from a rib injury, and JJ Engelbrecht starts on the wing, with Barry providing cover.

The only change to the forward pack at this stage sees Pieter-Steph du Toit return to play at blindside flank and a fit-again Cobus Wiese among the replacements after Kobus van Dyk was ruled out due to illness.

Du Toit picked up concussion on tour against the Crusaders and missed the 33-15 loss against the Highlanders last weekend.

Dillyn Leyds, JJ Engelbrecht, EW Viljoen, Damian De Allende, Raymond Rhule, Damian Willemse, Dewaldt Duvenage, Nizaam Carr, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Chris van Zyl, Jan de Klerk, Wilco Louw, Ramone Samuels, Steven Kitshoff. Dean Muir, JC Janse van Rensburg, Carlu Sadie, Salmaan Moerat, Cobus Wiese, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Justin Phillips, Craig Barry.

Bench: