Kwagga is ready to go against the Stormers

THE GOOD news for the Lions is that first-choice openside Kwagga Smith is fully fit and ready to take his place in the team for this weekend’s trip to Cape Town for a Super Rugby match against the Stormers.

The former Sevens star missed last week’s historic win against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires because of a calf strain, but it mattered little as his stand-in, Marnus Schoeman, scored all three of the Lions’ tries as the visitors triumphed 25-16 – for a first ever win against the Argentines in Buenos Aires. Now coach Swys de Bruin, pictured, has a difficult decision to make: does he back his three-try hero from the weekend, Schoeman, or go with Springbok and former Sevens star Smith, for the outing against the Stormers at Newlands? “Look, Marnus had a good game at the weekend so it makes it interesting for this week... it’ll be up to the coach to make a decision. Having good competition is always a positive, but I’m really hoping I can get in the mix this week,” Smith said. “It’s frustrating sitting on the sidelines. I’m excited to play again, whether it’s from the bench or as a starter.”

Smith added that he was 100% fit after missing out last week. “It was a 50/50 thing. I could have played, but we decided it wasn’t worth the risk and possibly missing the season if I aggravated the calf. I’m ready to go this week,” he said.

Smith, who is the team’s firstchoice openside flank, said the win in Buenos Aires was crucial for the season ahead.

“We’ve always struggled there so to win there in our first game is nice. They’re a very good side and there was definitely some pressure on us to get the win, after three defeats there. The guys did excellently in that situation, they were calm and controlled and with that sort of start, we’ve now got something to build on,” Smith said.

Awaiting the Lions this weekend are a hurting Stormers team who copped a hiding from the Bulls at Loftus last Saturday. Smith said it would make Robbie Fleck’s team a very dangerous prospect.

“It’s always tough playing against a team who have their backs against the wall,” said Smith. “They’ll be a very different side to the one that lost at Loftus; no one likes losing, especially the way they lost.”

Besides Smith, De Bruin, may also be able to consider new lock Stephan Lewies this week.