Hurricanes halfback Jason Spice has been cleared to play against the Stormers in their Super 12 rugby match at the Wellington Stadium tomorrow night.
Spice, the team's vice-captain, injured his left ankle playing against the Bulls last Saturday and rolled his right ankle at training on Tuesday.
But he was named in an unchanged starting XV yesterday. The only change to the playing squad is in the reserves where Rodney So'oialo replaces Campbell Feather as cover for the loose forwards.
Brent Thompson has retained his place at openside flanker in the absence of the injured Kupu Vanisi, while there has been no change to the lineout combinations, despite continuing problems.
Stormers coach Alan Solomons has made only one change to the team who were thrashed 7-35 by the Waratahs last week, with first five-eighths Chris Rossouw dropped.
Braam van Straaten moves in one place and Stuart Abbott comes in at second five-eighth.
The Stormers have also had injury concerns with Springbok wing Pieter Rossouw badly injuring his ankle at training on Tuesday.
Rossouw, who has played 40 tests for South Africa, had his ankle X-rayed but no fracture was found. It was thought that he had suffered ligament damage.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have included former rugby league player Joel Wilson and winger Damian McInally in a 22-man squad for Sunday's match against the Cats in Johannesburg.
Wilson, aged 24, quit the Northern Eagles rugby league team to renew his union career, which included a stint in the Australian under-21 team.
"If everyone was fit, Wilson and McInally probably would not be playing," Brumbies coach Eddie Jones said.
"But they have both worked hard, they have a good skill level and are familiar with our patterns of play. I'm confident they will get the job done."
Jones is yet to name a team for the match, which shapes as one of the toughest of the season for the Brumbies, who lost 16-17 to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
The Cats remain undefeated after two rounds, proving their home-ground superiority with a trouncing of the Highlanders last week.
The sports bookmakers have shortened the Cats to second favourites for the title, behind the Brumbies.
"The Cats are big, strong and fast," Jones said. "[Coach] Laurie Mains has them playing a conservative but effective style of rugby and they look very settled."
The Brumbies, who will remain at their Durban base until today before making the trip to the testing Johannesburg environment, have signed Australian Sevens winger Willie Gordon for the next month to cover for injured players.
Randwick winger Gordon, 23, has represented the Australian Sevens since 1999.
- NZPA
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
2001 Super 12 schedule/results
Spice cleared to tackle the Stormers
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