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Galway , Ireland - 26 February 2022; Damian Willemse of DHL Stormers evades the tackle of Denis Buckley, left, and Jarrad Butler of Connacht on his way to scoring his side's second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and DHL Stormers at The Sportsground in Galway. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Stormers resting Boks, Willemse opts to tour

The DHL Stormers have explained why Damian Willemse was taken on the three-game Vodacom United Rugby Championship tour, while their other Boks stayed in Cape Town.

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 13: Damian Willemse of the DHL Stormers celebrates after scoring during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Zebre Parma at Danie Craven Stadium on March 13, 2022 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Stormers wary of zipping Zebre

The DHL Stormers beat Zebre by almost 50 points last season, but the defending champs anticipate a stiffer challenge when the Vodacom United Rugby Championship teams meet in Parma on Saturday.

Leicester icon lambasts Pollard

Injury-plagued Springbok Handre Pollard is an expensive, ageing flyhalf who isn’t a “decent fit” for Leicester, according to former Tigers lock Jim Hamilton.

Smit: Rugby will never be 100% safe

While John Smit supports reasonable initiatives to reduce the risk of serious injury in rugby, the iconic Springbok centurion says sport will never be 100% safe.

Evan Roos of Stormers during the United Rugby Championship 2022/23 match between Stormers and Edinburgh held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on 1 October 2022

Smit to Roos: Don’t lose your passion

John Smit has offered Evan Roos some sage advice after the hotshot DHL Stormers No 8 has become the target of off-the-ball niggle aimed at getting under his collar.

Steyn: Bok flyhalf options are magic

Damian Willemse and Johan Goosen are the favourites to conjure big plays for South Africa on the end-of-year tour, and former Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn says both specialise in making “something out of nothing”.

South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick during the 2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and Wales held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on 16 July 2022 ©Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

Stick in charge of SA A team for UK Tour

Mzwandile Stick will take charge of the SA A side for their two matches against Munster and the Bristol Bears in November in a coaching team that includes Bafana Nhleko.