Rugby: Du Toit injury setback for Sharks

Gaffie du Toit's failure to recover from a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's showdown with the Stormers is a minor setback for a Sharks team that has been without the services of the enigmatic fullback since he pulled up abruptly shortly before half-time in the Sharks' loss to the Cats six weeks ago.

Du Toit had been in sensational form in that match - ironically he was at first-five in a surprise tactic by Rudolf Straeuli - and the coach had expected Du Toit to be fully recovered by the time the Sharks returned from their four-match overseas trip.

Nevertheless, Ricardo Loubscher has generally been in good form at the back, although Straeuli will want him to pick up his game after an ineffectual performance against the Crusaders.

He is not the only one. A number of players have been told in no uncertain terms that their listless performances in Christchurch will not be tolerated by their disappointed coach.

But the team outplayed by the champions will largely be retained for the Stormers match, with a little tweaking here and there to offset the mobility and counter-attacking skills of the Cape outfit.

While the hard nose of the pack will be maintained, Straeuli is likely to add some wheels by bringing in Warren Britz on the openside flank in place of Warren Brosnihan, replacing Philip Smit with Albert van den Berg in the second row, and Etienne Fynn will come in at tighthead for Brent Moyle.

Changes in the backline are unlikely. The back division that ran at training yesterday is the regular combination that played overseas against the Crusaders and the Blues, with Straueli resisting a temptation to move Justin Swart to fullback in place of Loubscher, and promoting the pacy Gus Theron to left wing.

While Straeuli is not letting his players off the hook after their shocker in Christchurch, he did admit that his squad were exhausted by their overseas campaign.

"I can see a big difference in the players this week after having a week off. We desperately needed the bye. It is such a tough competition, mentally and physically, and the players badly needed a rest.

"It is tough for the South African teams to have four games on tour while the Aussies and Kiwis have only two. But that is the way it is. You just have to get on with it."

For the Stormers, injured forwards Bobby Skinstad (hamstring) and Hottie Louw (ankle) are both doubtful starters for the match.

The two possible changes in the pack aside, the Cape Town-based side is expected to field the same team that beat the Bulls 34-23 at the weekend.

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)