The United Rugby Championship leaps into action this weekend with the Sharks in round one action against Irish side Munster at their home ground Thomond Park on Saturday.
Keith Earls has announced his retirement from rugby following a 16-year professional career with Munster and Ireland.
Forwards coach Paul O'Connell feels the locks Ireland have selected are 'big' enough to justify the exclusion of Munster star Jean Kleyn.
Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted he may have needed to adjust his game plan to accommodate for the difficult conditions underfoot in the URC final.
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree hailed Saturday's URC final win over the Stormers as the pinnacle of his coaching career.
There was heartbreak for the Stormers and their fans as a 74th-minute try to John Hodnett handed Munster a famous upset victory in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Cape Town.