Stormers coach Gert Smal on Monday included injured Springbok wing Breyton Paulse in his Super 12 touring party for Australia and New Zealand.

The Stormers depart on Thursday, but Paulse will have to prove he is over the knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for the past six weeks. He is bracketed with Jeffrey Stevens in the 24-man squad.

Smal said after Saturday's defeat to the Brumbies he might only be taking a small squad for the first two weeks of the tour. "I might bring some of the injury players in later. I want to keep it flexible and let some players play Vodacom Cup games first to get their confidence back and take it from there."

The Stormers hope to have Springboks Neil de Kock, Chris Rossouw and Bob Skinstad back for the last two games of the tour. De Kock has played his first game for the Western Province Vodacom Cup side on Saturday after undergoing a knee operation after the Currie Cup final last year.

Pumas loose-forward Pierre Uys has been included in the touring party as utility forward. He was on trial with the Stormers earlier this season.

Smal refused to give up hope of a semi-final berth, despite suffering their third defeat on Sunday. "I think there is a lot of character in this side, especially with a captain like Corne (Krige).

"I think we will pick ourselves up quite easily. We know what we can do and we are disappointed with ourselves for that second-half performance. We will go back and see exactly what we've done wrong and we'll be back," he promised.

Commenting on his side's performance, Smal said finds it difficult to express himself. "I think it was a reality check and we've lost our composure in the second half.

"Our lineout play was a problem, as was our inability to take the ball through phases. In this competition you can't do well if you don't look after the opportunities you get and getting the possession and set up phases after that. When it's on, you should use your opportunities and finish it off."

Captain Krige said to qualify for the semi-finals, the Stormers will have to get 30, maybe 32 points. "Last year it was 28, this year I think we're looking at 30, maybe 32."

The flanker added: "You're in trouble if you start doubting your own ability and I am definitely not going to do that now."

Stormers squad: Props: Daan Human, Cobus Visagie, Faan Rautenbach; Hookers: Tjoepie van den Heever, Martin van Schalkwyk; Locks: Hottie Louw, Thys Stoltz, Quinton Davids; Loose-forwards: Corné Krige (capt), Hendrik Gerber, Adri Badenhorst, Pietie Ferreira; Utility Forward: Pierre Uys; Scrumhalves: Johannes Conradie, Noël Oelschig; Flyhalf: Werner Greeff; Centres: De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Marius Joubert; Wings: Pieter Rossouw, Gus Theron, Breyton Paulse/Jeffrey Stevens; Fullback: Percy Montgomery; Utility: Marius Goosen.