Rassie Erasmus, head coach of the Vodacom Stormers, on Wednesday announced his team to play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday 28 March. Kick-off is at 08h35 (SA time).
The Stormers website reports that Captain and centre Jean De Villiers will play his 50th game for the Stormers on Saturday.
The coach decided to move outside centre Gcobani Bobo to wing in place of the injured Nick Koster and start with De Villiers at outside centre and flyhalf Peter Grant at the captain’s inside. Veteran Willem de Waal remains in the flyhalf position, where he started in the games against the Bulls and the Lions.
Koster and Tonderai Chavhanga sustained injuries in the last game against the Lions and both are busy recovering at home. Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes is back from injury but Erasmus opted for veteran Springbok Percy Montgomery at fullback.
Jantjes has been included on the substitutes’ bench though.
Luke Watson is back at No 8 after starting the game against the Lions from the bench. Duane Vermeulen shifts to flank in place of Francois Louw, who reverts to the bench.
AJ Venter is, as expected, the new lock in place of the injured Andries Bekker, with Adriaan Fondse donning the number four jersey.
The promising Wicus Blaauw also retains his starting place at loosehead prop despite the fact that JD Moller is back from injury. The latter is among the reserves.
Another familiar face on the Stormers’ bench would be hooker Tiaan Liebenberg, who has been called back from France where he was playing club rugby. With second-choice hooker Deon Fourie ruled out through injury and Hanyani Shimange not available for the early part of the tour Liebenberg will be the substitute hooker on Saturday.
Former Bulls flank Hilton Lobberts is also one of the reserves and could be making his debut for the Stormers
The Vodacom Stormers team is as follows:
15. Percy Montgomery
14. Gcobani Bobo
13. Jean De Villiers (C)
12. Peter Grant
11. Sireli Naqelevuki
10. Willem De Waal
9. Ricky Januarie
8. Luke Watson
7 Duane Vermeulen
6. Schalk Burger
5. AJ Venter
4. Adriaan Fondse
3. Brian Mujati
2. Schalk Brits
1. Wicus Blaauw
Reserves :
16. Tiaan Liebenberg
17. JD Moller
18. Hilton Lobberts
19. Francois Louw
20. Dewaldt Duvenage
21. Dylan Des Fountain
22. Conrad Jantjes
This team COULD beat the Crusaders but i don’t think it will.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : depends which Crusaders team pitches up
oh my crumpet! Dylan Des Fountain and Hilton Lobberts in a Super 14 squad? What are these guys smoking?
@robdylan (Comment 3) : I’m sure ‘statistically’ they’ll be fine.
@McLovin (Comment 4) :
4 X Sharks in the starting line up..
@Prof. Ice (Comment 6) :
I only see 3.
Please don’t tell me you counted Percy!!!
@Prof. Ice (Comment 6) : nah – you can’t really do that. The only one of those that really counts as a “Shark” according to that logic is Luke Watson, because he first played senior rugby for us.
@wpw (Comment 7) :
For why not?? He DID give his best rugby to US…
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
So you sommer making rules now as to who is / was “real” Sharks??
The only one I’d rather NOT count IS Luke..
@Prof. Ice (Comment 9) :
One season???
Wiedjy!!!
@wpw (Comment 11) :
Some play one-seasons flashers…some more…what can you say…
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
Rob
I reckon they will be fine.
Des Fountain is actually not a bad player at all.
@wpw (Comment 13) :
@wpw (Comment 13) : hehe hehe heheh
@wpw (Comment 13) : When he catches the ball
OK so I guess I’m alone on this one.
@wpw (Comment 17) :
Ag shame. man…I am actually starting to feel sorry for you today..
Go Stormers!
I actually think they can take this one…but then again I’m out of the LMS…so don’t listen to me.
@wpw (Comment 17) : I’ll back you. Dylan will be fine, and Lobberts will be ok if they sort out his aggression.
@wpw (Comment 17) :
YNWA!
I thought you guys were supporting the stormers other than when they were playing the untouchables.
@molly (Comment 22) :
Hi molly
and I guess the Untouchables = Sharks??
@wpw (Comment 17)you’ll never walk alone
@molly (Comment 20) :
Aggression wasn’t the problem the two seasons he could simply not comprehend the lineout calls no matter what… from memory they even had to tap him on the back in the end… and now he is the back-up lock
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
Time to get that Red jersey from the bottom of the pile…
@blackshark (Comment 21) :
Thanks dude!!!
The only other TRUE Liverpool supporter on this site!!!
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 25) : Ok he is dumb but not that dumb.Think thats a load of bollocks.
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 25) :
I thought he never played lock before???
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 25) :
Dude, where do you get your info from???
@wpw (Comment 27) :
I hope you’re not taking a cheap swipe at Rob cos he did redeem himself with robdylan (Comment 24) :
@blackshark (Comment 31) :
Bru, he also called us chokers!!!
AND more importantly, he loves the Sharks more than he does Liverpool!!!
That’s just sacrilege!!!
@blackshark (Comment 26) : you laugh! i actually wore it the other day
@wpw (Comment 32) : no – that’s just common sense, cos I love rugby a LOT more than I love that other game.
BTW, speaking of jerseys, I am bleak… all the stupid plastic logos on my Sharks jersey melted into each other… the whole thing is ruined
@robdylan (Comment 34) : how the hell did you manage that?
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
More than your love of cricket??? can’t be…
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
Lets take a guess…tumble dryer??
Or perhaps you decided to give the Mrs Roba rest and did the ironing?? 
@Prof. Ice (Comment 37) : maybe it was the tumble drier… not sure.
Anyway, I am bleak. Stupid design.
@robdylan (Comment 38) :
I agree…between fakes and the real thing…the plastic logo’s are the same…I (okay hubby) spend the money on buying the real thing for me and its coming off…
@robdylan (Comment 38) & @Prof. Ice (Comment 39) :
Rather get a stormers one
@molly (Comment 40) :
Hoe’s jou hart, Molly?? I will NOT let a plastic logo come between me and my Untouchables!!
@molly (Comment 40) :
Maybe Rob can use his old Sharks jersey to wash his car.
@wpw (Comment 42) :
WHAT?? Like you use your Joost onderbroekies?? (u know..the ones will holes in)..
@Prof. Ice (Comment 43) : You use whatever is useless to wash your car with…
The logos on my Stormers jersey is still as good as new.
@Prof. Ice (Comment 39) : mine was very original… cost me almost R700!
@robdylan (Comment 46) :
Sorry – did not imply it was fake..wasmerely trying to get the point across of the quality…
@molly (Comment 44) :
@McLovin (Comment 45) :
So would my Sharks jersey be if I only wash it when we win!!
Bye!!
@Prof. Ice (Comment 47) :
Correct that statement…is I was a stormers supporter…and Stormers jersey…
oooooh…..
@robdylan (Comment 46) : good gravy gracious… It’s Mr Price for crying out loud!!!
@Prof. Ice (Comment 47) :
Dont worry Stormer supporters at least four Paarl Gimmies in that match 22. We havent saw the best of Dyllie just yet. Rated even higher as Jean by the x Gimmie coach Frikkie van Zyl. Will love to see him prove you lot wrong.
@molly (Comment 50) : yeah – strange, innit?
You found yer tea yet?
@molly (Comment 50) : hehehe
rob – it may be better if u just admit u can’t wash
@wpw (Comment 29) : @wpw (Comment 30) :
You don’t have to play lock to have to understand lineout calls…
Cannot remember where I heard/read/saw it…
The Durban born ex WBHS captain… Earle IS a proper lock in every sense… and far better suited off the bench…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 56) : i thought that entire team should understand lineout calls – some backs may not hear it though
@rekinek (Comment 55) :
Speaking of whinging WP players… seems it was poor little Earl Rose who took offence of big bad Boschoff telling him off and went crying to Daddy who in turn went crying to PDV to get involved…
Leon cleared of any racist tones… but still sacked for being abusive (it worked didn’t it)… and now the man responsible for the only positive aspect of Lions play in the last two seasons is gone on a single written warning…
Poor little Earl ‘wife beater’ Rose!
@PaarlBok (Comment 52) : Been hearing about this Des Fountain kid for 2/3 years. Hopefully 2009 is the year he comes good.
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 59) : who was speaking of whinging WP players???
Earl is to WP what Luke is to the Sharks.
Besides if I was Boshoff, I wouldn’t want to work with that team anymore either, he’s getting out with a nice pay.
@McLovin (Comment 60) : I’m hoping some actual game time will get him there.
@molly (Comment 63) : he has great hair
@molly (Comment 62) : my thoughts exactly. the problem though – what after october, there may be some stigma attached.
@molly (Comment 63) :
I don’t think he’s that bad either… quite strong and a good turn of pace…
@robdylan (Comment 64) : on the hair subject – my friend calls Fransie “bergie” the mountain man
thought will share it
@robdylan (Comment 64) : He is rather lovely.
Prince William needs to sort out his hair. Rather a poor effort for a royal.
@McLovin (Comment 69) : he’s getting bold – may just solve the problem
@rekinek (Comment 70) : and bald
@robdylan (Comment 71) :
did i mention english not my first language
@rekinek (Comment 72) : da!