Competition for places ramps up as Stormers welcome back key Springbok stars

Speaking on Monday, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani stressed that even though Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Ben-Jason Dixon and Zachary Porthen were not part of the travelling squad, they remained closely involved in the team's planning and structures throughout.

"They've always been part of our system," he said. "They're in our huddles, our technical groups, they see everything we do – rugby or off-field. They fully understand how we want to play. So when they come back, they're not disrupting anything. They just slot in."

Last week, head coach John Dobson and skipper Salmaan Moerat went out of their way to highlight the togetherness and work ethic that have underpinned the Stormers' campaign so far – a run that included six straight Vodacom URC victories before their commanding Champions Cup win away to Bayonne on Friday.

Hlungwani, though, does not anticipate any upheaval with the Boks returning, noting that reputation alone does not secure anyone a place in the matchday lineup.

"We want an environment where people compete for positions. As much as the Boks are aligned, they know someone here wants their jersey – in a positive way," he said. "No one relaxes because they're a Springbok. You have to produce. The guy who held that position wants it just as badly.

"We're quite happy to have them back and we don't see it as an interruption or as a negative thing in terms of the cohesion that we have built with the guys who were not with the Springboks.

"We strongly feel the Springboks will come back in and slot in properly because they really understand what we are all about, how we want to play, and it's something that we work hard on to make sure, even when they're not here. They consistently understand our plans and where we're going, where we want to improve."

Hlungwani says the team's clarity around roles and systems has allowed stand-ins – from flyhalf Clinton Swart to loosehead Ntuthuko "Tuks" Mchunu – to slot in seamlessly and perform strongly.

"The squad is very clear on how we want to play. So, when someone like Clinton starts for the first time, he fits in. Same with Tuks – our scrum didn't look like it changed. When you get an opportunity, your job is to lift the standard."

And with La Rochelle expected to bring their usual confrontational style, Hlungwani believes that collective depth and cohesion will be essential.