Some Stormers news from superrugby:
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The return to fitness of fullback Jaco Taute, who is a strongly built human specimen, has eased some of the worry, but not totally.
"We are still looking for a wing. That search continues," confirmed coach Allister Coetzee at a Stormers press conference.
"It is part of our culture to look for players from our own region first. We have done that, and we are hoping that someone like Pat Howard might come through this year. However, without having any names or specifics in mind at the moment, we are looking outside the region and will not stop our search for what we are looking for."
One potential remedy to the problem, if the more obvious move of shifting skipper Jean de Villiers to the wing is not considered an option, is to move Damian de Allende there. The massively built former Milnerton High School pupil did make his debut for Western Province on the wing in 2012.
"Damian will be considered as a wing and we may well play him there against the Bulls at the weekend," said Coetzee in reference to his selection for the first Super Rugby warm-up match in Polokwane.
"He will probably start on the wing. We will obviously still see him as an option at centre too after his strong season last year, so we may move him into the midfield later in the game."
There is a perception that De Allende lacks the pace for the position – he has explosive pace over the first few metres but doesn't sustain it – but Coetzee said that what was more important was that De Allende work on his positional play.
"That was the problem with him at wing in his first season. We also need to work on his fielding of the ball and his kicking, something that a wing has to do a lot," he said.
Coetzee said he had been impressed with the strongly built utility back Scott van Breda since he came to the Stormers on trial from the Southern Kings, and said he would be keeping him in the squad for Super Rugby.
Meanwhile Taute is not available for the Polokwane match because of muscle tightness, so Coetzee is taking the opportunity to look at a left field option as potential fullback back-up. Ryno Eksteen, the former Bulls Schools flyhalf, has impressed Coetzee hugely during the pre-season and he is likely to get his chance in the last line of defence at some stage of the warm-up fixture.
"Ryno can play fullback, he has played there a lot in the past, and I am really excited about what he can offer and look forward to seeing his contribution," said Coetzee.
Eksteen, secured on contract to WP even before it became clear two years ago that Handre Pollard had signed for the Bulls, was injured for most of his first season in the Cape but is now fully recovered and has worked hard during the preparation phase."
