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All eyes on Stormers' new speedster

According to media reports Hendricks is suffering from a serious heart condition, which could jeopardise his rugby career.

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Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who was addressing media at a press conference at Newlands on Thursday, confirmed that Hendricks is currently unavailable as he is with SA Rugby. 

Hendricks' absence will be a serious blow to the Stormers if it is confirmed that he cannot play. However, with Zas, who has been named on the left wing for the Stormers’ pre-season tie against the Jaguares, the Cape side has a flyer who can light up Super Rugby. 

The wing scored a hat-trick of tries in the Stormers' first pre-season match against the South Western Districts Eagles this past Saturday. 

All eyes on Stormers' new speedster"Zas has done exceptionally well in his pre-season," said Fleck. "He is carrying a lot of form through from the Under-21 setup from last year.

"He is certainly a talent that will go far in the game. He has been training incredibly well in this pre-season. In the warm-ups we had thus far, he performed incredibly well, so he deserves his shot on the left wing there.

"We got a young team and we need to back the youngsters and he is certainly one of the talented youngsters in Western Province and Stormers rugby. If it comes to it and he is selected on the wing [for the first Super Rugby match against the Bulls], I have no doubt that he can do well.

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"I don't want to single too much out on Zas, but he has searing pace and he is a good finisher. Let's see how he goes on the weekend."

Another player who will have a lot of attention on him on Saturday is Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit who will be making his Stormers debut after arriving from the Sharks.

Fleck said he was keen to see what the injury-ravaged 23-year-old is capable of this year.

"I think his big challenge was to get over his injuries and get confidence back in his game," said Fleck.

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"Going to the World Cup probably did him some good in the sense that he was playing at that level..

"Coming back here now, we just want him getting back into the rhythm, getting a bit of game time and contact in trainings. He had a very good hit-out against Hammies (Hamiltons) last weakened and we are looking forward to what he can deliver."

"He looks like a really humble kid, who likes to be around his family. He is a quiet guy, but he is starting to really thrive in this environment, which is exciting."

Fleck named a 31-man squad for the match against The Jaguares in order to give as much players as possible a run before Super Rugby starts, especially for those who are returning from injury.

"There are a couple of guys who are on the replacements who are coming back from injuries – that is why we have a fairly big squad. I would All eyes on Stormers' new speedsterhave liked to have gone in with a smaller squad to give guys more game time. 

"Some of them can only play 20 minutes and we are nursing them back. I have a good idea of who I want playing against the Bulls and I guess this is the start of that process.

"We will not be selecting players who are not fit, regardless of the status of that player or the talent of that player. Every player has to be 100 percent fit, before he can play for the Stormers. 

"There are still guys who are returning back, who have been working incredibly hard on the sidelines to catch up with the work that has been done with the squad in the last three months," Fleck added.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been given time off after returning from Japan, while Schalk Burger is nursing a slight calf injury.

Prop Frans Malherbe hurt his ankle last week, but will make a return next week. Cheslin Kolbe and Juan de Jongh were given the weekend off after a very taxing couple of weeks in the World Sevens Series.

By Warren Fortune

@FortuneWarren

@rugby365com

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