URC: Stormers preparing to make tough selection calls ahead of Bulls trip

Last time out the Stormer’s rested their Springbok players, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse. At the same time, they have also been boosted by the return to fitness of several key squad members like Salman Moerat and Dan du Plessis.

Looking ahead to what will be a fiercely contested derby Hlungwani told IOL: “We are very happy to have the Springboks back. We just have to get our cohesion right.

“That’s continuous improvement, that’s something we want to improve – finding each other better. That’s the one thing we are working hard on.

“It’s a good problem to have, and at the same time it is tough to leave out certain guys. There are lots of positions that are highly competitive, but it is a good problem to have.

“The level of competition in our team is quite pleasing, so it’s really nice to have Frans back – highly experienced, probably one of the best tightheads in the world.

“That will definitely improve our environment, and push Neetas (Neethling Fouché) to improve even more. Whether he (Malherbe) starts or whether he’s on the bench, he will have a role to play, and so will Neethling.

“We’ve also got a few youngsters back in Sazi Sandi and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, so it’s been a fight at training for everyone to prove themselves.

“It’s very tough at lock as well, because Ruben (van Heerden) and Adré (Smith) have been doing really well. But we also know the level and standards that Salmaan brings to the table.

“Having Salmaan back has just raised the temperature a bit more, and hopefully that will help us get a little bit more out of Adré and Ruben, and also get him to chase hard again to get his position back.”

Meanwhile, as much as the Stormers have a great recent record over the Bulls – they have yet to lose to Jake White’s charges in the URC – Hlungwani says they will not be paying any attention to history.

“The history that everyone talks about is not something we’ve discussed – that’s for social media. We are well aware that they are a very strong team.

“They are above us on the log and have the most players invited to the alignment camp. They have lots of Springboks in their team.

“They have a highly experienced coaching staff – Jake White has won the World Cup, Gary Gold has coached at the Springboks … Very experienced group of individuals, experienced team.

“It’s going to be tough, and we are not taking them lightly … and giving them all the respect they deserve.

“We would be naive to think that we will get exactly the same Bulls team as before, so it will be a different challenge.”

The Bulls versus Stormers game kicks off on Saturday at 17:05.