Giant Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth will be unleashed on this season's Super15 against the Blues in Albany on Friday after three frustrating months overcoming an ankle injury.
Etzebeth, 21, was the find of the year last season and became a fixture in the Springbok set-up following a superb Super 15 spell.
His physical presence, athleticism and strong lineout play marked him as a special player last year and Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is hoping that 12 weeks of inactivity won't hamper his comeback.
"There will be rustiness, but that's to be expected," Coetzee said. "As a tight forward you need a few games under your belt before you hit that zone. Eben's still a young guy and I know he's itching to play . but I hope that when he gets an opportunity this weekend he doesn't show [a lot of rustiness]."
Coetzee is, however, unlikely to rush Etzebeth back into the starting XV. He will probably be eased off the bench as part of his carefully managed return to top-flight rugby.
"I think it would be unfair to start him," Coetzee said. "Neither incumbent - De Kock [Steenkamp] or Andries [Bekker] - deserves to sit it out.
"Eben needs a few minutes but it will be a process just like with [hooker] Scarra Ntubeni [who played the final 10 minutes against the Hurricanes last week].
"I don't think Eben could handle more than 40 to 50 minutes at this stage so we'd look to ease him in. If he's on the bench we would try to stay within those boundaries," Coetzee said.
Flank Don Armand joined the squad yesterday when Michael Rhodes was forced to return home because of an ankle injury he picked up in their 20-18 win against the Hurricanes on Friday.
But everyone else trained yesterday, including flyhalf Elton Jantjies, flank Siya Kolisi and Etzebeth.
Kolisi was a late withdrawal last week after he failed to pass a fitness test. After another two days of rest he appears ready to start against the Blues.
Jantjies has also made a full recovery from a knee injury but might not force his way back into the starting XV after two solid performances from Gary van Aswegen.
Though Jantjies was the star off-season signing, indifferent performances and Van Aswegen's form mean he might have to content himself with an appearance from the bench.
The Bulls are almost back to full strength following the return of several players from injury.
Deon Stegmann, Frik Kirsten, Morne Mellett and Grant Hattingh are all available for selection, and Jurgen Visser will have a fitness test tomorrow .
Jan Serfontein, Dewald Potgieter, Ulrich Beyers, Rudy Paige, No8 Pierre Spies, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Ruan Snyman did not train yesterday but will be back today .