Stormers coach Allister Coetzee had reason to smile as his team returned to training at the High Performance Centre after the short break they were given to coincide with their first bye week in the 2011 Super Rugby competition.

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Coetzee has much to mull over in some areas, like hooker, where he has only two players fit for a call-up to action in next week’s opening game against the Lions at Newlands.

And pivot will remain potentially problematic until such time as Peter Grant’s Kobe Steelers team is knocked out of the All Japan championships and he is flies home to rejoin his teammates.

But at least it looks as though Jaque Fourie will be ready to take the field against his old Lions teammates.

The Springbok centre was a full participant in the Stormers’ training session on Wednesday afternoon, his first since being given the all-clear to start again after recovering from a toe injury sustained towards the end of the last Currie Cup season.

NO CONTACT TAKEN

Although the Stormers did not take contact in the session, Fourie ran easily and did not seem to be troubled when required to change direction, something that the Stormers management would have been looking out for.

“I am very pleased to see the way Jaque is settling back in and enjoying the squad session and at this stage it does look positive for him regarding his availability for the Lions game,” said Coetzee.

“It all depends on how he goes over the next few days, but so far so good and at the moment it all looks positive. Of course he does still have to take contact, and that will be his next barrier, but we will be crossing fingers. You know, he is such a fine athlete so it doesn’t surprise me he has been able to recuperate so quickly.

“He is actually back a bit quicker than was initially expected. If he comes through the remaining sessions then he will definitely be in my plans for the Lions game. It doesn’t bother me that he hasn’t got any game-time behind him, he is such a superb player that I am sure it won’t be a problem for him.”

The Stormers do have two other Springbok centres on their books in the form of Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh, but Fourie is an almost certain starter at No 13 if he is fit, as he is considered central to the Stormers’ defensive system and is recognised as the best communicator among the backs.

The Stormers coach said that being given a bye in the opening round created an awkward situation as the players are itching to get into action after an extended pre-season build-up, but he said the extra week might suit the Stormers in the sense that it allows the players to get rid of niggles.

“If we were going to play this week then Jaque definitely wouldn’t be ready and neither would Peter Grant. As it stands, Peter can still get back to us by next Tuesday if his team gets knocked out at the weekend. I know what a tough player Peter is so I won’t have any hesitation starting him against the Lions should be back early in the week.”