The Stormers have been boosted by the return to fitness of Ruan Botha, Nizaam Carr and Damian de Allende for the match against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

With Eben Etzebeth and Manuel Carizza set to miss the first couple weeks of the season, the return of Botha is timely, given the Bulls' strength at lineout time. Botha is expected to slot straight back into the starting lineup at Loftus alongside Jean Kleyn.

De Allende has missed much of the pre-season, but has also been cleared to start. He is expected to be paired in the midfield with Juan de Jongh, who has recovered from a stomach bug.

Carr is another in line for a starting role, but coach Allister Coetzee might choose to utilise him off the bench given that he's missed the entire pre-season schedule with a virus.

Wing Kobus van Wyk remains an injury doubt, while flanker Siya Kolisi will not be risked this weekend.

The team to face the Bulls will be announced at lunch time on Thursday.

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