Bok back for Exeter after flight chaos, Wallaby and Italy star 'very close'

Joseph Dweba will be available for Exeter Chiefs’ PREM Rugby Cup final date with Leicester Tigers on Sunday after being forced to miss the semi-final because of travel disruption linked to the conflict in Iran.

The Springbok hooker, who has scored five tries in 14 appearances for the Chiefs, returned to South Africa to visit his family after the defeat against Bristol Bears on January 24.

Dweba, 30, who played in the first two rounds of the competition in September, was due back in Devon ahead of their semi-final with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

But the flight back from South Africa, which was via Dubai, was cancelled because of the conflict, so he wasn’t back in time for Chiefs boss Rob Baxter to consider him for selection.

“He probably would have involved him in the semi-final, obviously, to get some game time because he’s had a three- or four-week break,” said Exeter DoR Rob Baxter.

“But with what was happening in Iran, his flight back from South Africa went through Dubai, so he literally was going to travel that weekend when everything broke out.

“So everything got cancelled, shut down, and fortunately, he managed to get a flight midweek, but we felt it was just a bit late to involve him. You know, with just a couple of days’ training.

“I’m just glad in a way that our PREM Cup block ended a week prior to the semi-final week, so, obviously, for the players, that was when we gave them some downtime.

“Fortunately, none of them chose to go to Dubai for a few days, so we didn’t get anybody pinned down in Dubai. We were very fortunate,” said Baxter.

Baxter, who has been struggling for fit forwards over the last few weeks, says that Richard Capstick and Christ Tshiunza are both back in full training and available to travel.

While Tom Hooper and Ross Vintcent could be fit for the return to the Gallagher PREM against Sale Sharks next week.

“Tom Hooper’s getting very close, I’m pleased to say he has been out doing a fair bit of running on the field.

“So if he carries on progressing through the week, then there’s no reason for him not to be in full training next week.

“Ross Vintcent is very close. Manny (Feyi-Waboso) is a little bit behind those guys, but he’s progressing very well. Scott Sio’s very close.

“Len Ikitau is progressing well, but his shoulder is probably a little worse than we first thought. He’s still two to three weeks off at best.

“We’re looking like the side thickens out a little bit, quite quickly. Certainly, over the next two weeks, another group of players who should be back and available in a month,” he added.