Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says that he plans to start the same team that faced the Bulls in their Super 14 semifinal against the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday.
The Stormers smashed the Bulls which secured them a home semi-final and second place on the points' table which means that the Stormers will be playing their first home semifinal since 1999.
There was initial concern in their final match - against the Bulls - over the fitness of nippy wing Gio Aplon after he was flattened early in the game by an illegal Bakkies Botha shoulder charge into a ruck after which Aplon received treatment but played on.
Bakkies Botha has since been cited.
Coach Coetzee says that he has a lot of respect for the 72 kg pocket rocket. "I have a lot of respect for Gio that he stayed on the field after the incident and still acquitted him well."
"He is a fighter and a player with whom you could go to war." he said on the Stormers site.
"Fortunately he is fine and he should be ready to take his place with Bryan Habana and Joe Pietersen in the back three.
"I am more than satisfied with the way Gio played this year. He plays excellent rugby and so far he's been absolutely brilliant on the attack. He has the natural ability to accelerate into space.
"That is an exceptional talent that cannot be coached. Added to that he has excellent contact skills and he doesn't get blown away easily," enthused the coach.
Coetzee believes the Waratahs have grown a lot since their second-round match in which the Stormers won 27-6 at Newlands.
The coach believes this time round the Tahs will pose a huge threat. "They are a quality side. Like us, they pride them on their lineout and scrum.
"Their defence is solid. Phil Waugh's team also have Wallabies such as Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell and Kurtley Beale.
"Their own supporters earlier criticized them for not playing enough attacking rugby, but if you look at the tries they have scored recently you will see how dangerous they could be on attack."
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