The Stormers have turned to retired hooker Scarra Ntubeni as a short-term fix after losing two of their three fit hookers in last Saturday's 52-40 win over Scarlets. Andre-Hugo Venter suffered a concussion and Deon Fourie a hamstring strain in that match, leaving the squad with only Vernon Paulo available — and Paulo's form is under scrutiny after the Stormers lost 11 lineouts in their defeat in Edinburgh, his last outing. JJ Kotze remains unavailable, serving the final stretch of a three-week suspension for a high tackle in the Champions Cup win over Bristol Bears.
With options exhausted, head coach John Dobson has brought Ntubeni back into training alongside Paulo and young loosehead Altus Rabe. Skills coach Labeeb Levy confirmed the trio were already working on lineout, scrum and structural detail at Monday's session. When asked about Ntubeni's fitness, Levy was candid: "It could be better. You must remember he was retired and he is a stop-gap measure, a medical joker as you could call it. Dobbo is looking around to see what other hookers are available, but these guys need to help us get through this one."
Venter will undergo his return-to-play protocol assessment on Tuesday but will not be available for Saturday's URC clash against Ulster at home. Fourie's hamstring injury likewise rules him out, with Levy noting that hamstring strains typically sideline players for four to six weeks or longer.
The one piece of positive news out of Newlands is that Ruan Ackermann could return, subject to passing a fitness test on Tuesday. "He will be given the best possible chance to play and a decision will be made after training," Levy said.
The Stormers drew with Ulster when the sides met in Belfast earlier this year and are determined to head into November's full international break on the back of a win. Levy confirmed the side would field their strongest possible squad, within existing rest protocols. The team announcement is expected on Wednesday.