It’s down to wire for Stormers, Etzebeth
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck will give experienced lock Eben Etzebeth as long as possible to be fit to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
Etzebeth was named in a starting lineup that showed three changes from the team that beat the Jaguares 35-8 at Newlands last week‚ but still has one final hurdle to clear before being passed fit.
Etzebeth came through four of his concussion protocols after a heavy knock against the Jaguares during last week’s win at Newlands.
But he did not pass his fifth test on Thursday and will have another test on Friday to see if he has improved.
“We will give Eben another chance to pass his fifth protocol on Friday‚ but he has been looking good in training‚” Fleck said from Wellington.
“If he doesn’t go well tomorrow [Friday], JD Schickerling will start and Salmaan Moerat will come on to the bench.
“We have followed all the protocols and have had an extra day to prepare because we played last Friday. We’ll make the best medical decision.
“Eben is keen to play obviously‚ but we will never put the player at risk.
“We are following the medical advice‚ how the player is feeling and the protocols.
“If he doesn’t pass his test on Friday‚ he doesn’t pass‚ and we have other plans in place.”
As it stands, Etzebeth will retain his starting place in the second row alongside Chris van Zyl‚ who steps in for JD Schickerling in a rotational switch. But that could change. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi also returns to the starting lineup with Scarra Ntubeni moving onto the bench.
In the backline, outside centre Ruhan Nel is preferred to Daniel du Plessis‚ who is on the bench.
The Hurricanes will be without the All Black trio of hooker Dane Coles‚ centre Ngani Laumape and scrumhalf TJ Perenara‚ who have been rested‚ which means an interesting switch for Jordie Barrett to inside centre. –