Forced by SA Rugby to rest their top Springboks in two-week blocks in the lead-up to this year's World Cup, the Stormers made the difficult decision to use Vermeulen for the first two outings of their four-game tour and go without his services for the final two.

Given the first two were against the Highlanders and Hurricanes and the final two against the Waratahs and Force, the move is bound to be interpreted as a lack of respect for the Australian conference and, in particular, last year's title holders.

"It's a big one for us ... it was a big decision to make," Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said as his side left Wellington at the weekend.

"However, it is something we discussed and have been planning since the start of the season.

"The intention was always for Duane to spend the first two weeks on tour and then to head home and be ready for the final part of our season.

"We will, of course, miss him against the Waratahs and the Force, but when we get home his rest period will be over and we will have him back in tow for a crucial part of the season."

The Australian sides are the only ones in the competition who are not required by their governing national union to rest their top players.

The Sharks stood down Test trio Pat Lambie, Cobus Reinarch and Marcell Coetzee when the Force came to visit in round seven while, at the behest of the New Zealand Rugby Union, the Hurricanes did without All Blacks Julian Savea, Beau­den Barrett and Ben Franks against the Rebels that same weekend.

But the Waratahs, coming off a bye and not far off the form that bagged them a maiden title last year, are presumably a different kettle of fish to Australia's two youngest and worst-performing franchises.

The Stormers have plenty of back row firepower left, with No.6 Siya Kolisi and veteran flanker Schalk Burger to call upon for Saturday's match at Allianz Stadium.

The Waratahs, meanwhile, are still sweating on the return of Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who had to pass a fitness test at training on Monday, and veteran centre Adam Ashley-Cooper. Ashley-Cooper signalled last week he would not be rushing his return from a rare hamstring tendon complaint, leaving Matt Carraro to continue his strong run in the mid-field for what looks like another week.

NSW prop Benn Robinson said the side were looking forward to their first clash with a South African side.

"They bring a different mentality, their forwards play is a little bit different to most other sides, they have big ball carriers that carry nice and hard," Robinson said.

"But the first time we played a different style [this season] was the Highlanders and we got a little bit shocked there and had a loss.

"We've got to adapt to the game really well and play our style of game. If we can do that we'll come along well."