Kobus Van Der Merwe happy with pre-season preparations

Coach Kobus Van Der Merwe is happy with the team’s preparations to date. “The extended squad has been together for a while now and prepared well. We are in the fortunate position of not having too many injuries and disruptions have been kept to a minimum. We have a large squad of players available for selection and a healthy level of competition pervades the camp.”

Van Der Merwe continued, “The Vodacom Bulls were the form side last season. We expect a tough practice session against them. Preparations at this level carry some risk but are simply essential in the build up to one of the most demanding competitions in world rugby.

“We are taking an expanded squad of 26 players to Loftus and will look to utilize the game to give all of them game time to maximize preparation. Whilst disruptive for the spectator due to numerous substitutions and the testing of various combinations throughout the match, this type of practice fixture best suits our preparation needs at this time”

Remaining members of the greater Vodacom Stormers squad and players requiring extra game time will also be taking part in a contact practice session against Vodacom WP at Bellville on Thursday morning at 10am.

The Vodacom Stormers will have a further practice session against Boland in Paarl on Saturday 20 January.