Seabelo Senatla

The Stormers have returned from their week off with no major injury concerns ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Melbourne Rebels at DHL Newlands on Saturday (kick-off 19:10 SA Time).

Johnny Kotze sat out Monday’s afternoon session with a minor niggle, whie fellow wing Kobus van Wyk remains on track for the Lions match on 6 June.

Speaking ahead of the Rebels match, Coetzee told the Stormers’ official website:

“The Rebels have beaten the Crusaders and the Brumbies away this year, so it shows their capacity as a team. We’ve had a good bye, with 3 big games coming up at Newlands, but it’s all about this weekend and getting the victory.

“We need to get certain things right again, and we’ve looked at that, so it’s more about ensuring we are strong and better as a team rather than worrying about our opponents.”

Full Stormers injury report on Monday:

• Wing Johnny Kotze (ankle stiffness) took part in the morning session on Monday but sat out the afternoon session. He is not in doubt for this weekend.
• Flank Michael Rhodes missed training with a cold but will hopefully join team training soon as he nears his comeback from a hamstring injury.
• Centre Jaco Taute will play Vodacom Cup rugby (Western Province are in the semi-finals) as his comeback from a knee injury continues to gather momentum. He has now played 2 games in a row for WP.
• Wing Kobus van Wyk (knee) is still on track for the Lions match, having started pitch-side running on Monday.

(Sport24)

Seabelo Senatla:

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed that Seabelo Senatla is in the running for Stormers selection.

However, it is unlikely he will be selected for the encounter with the Melbourne Rebels at Newlands on Saturday.

“We will need to take a look at him, to see where he is at mentally and physically,” Coetzee told a media briefing.

“However, we could give him off this week to energise him before getting him back into the mix.

“I want to ensure that he is 100% ready and in the right frame of mind before making a call on him and we will see him on Tuesday.”

Senatla played 2 games for the Stormers last year, also after the completion of his Sevens commitment, before featuring in 6 Currie Cup games for Western Province.

Senatla and the rest of the South African Sevens team returns from London on Tuesday – where they finished as runners-up in the Plate competition in the 9th and final leg, as well as 2nd overall in the HSBC Sevens World Series.