DHL Stormers Coach Allister Coetzee has named his squad to face the MTN Lions at Newlands this weekend.
CJ van Der Linde gets his first start for the Cape franchise at loosehead prop , a move the coaching staff will be hoping to counter the loss of Tian Liebenberg at hooker, Rynhardt Elstadt fills in at 4 for the injured Adriaan Fondse while Danie Poolman covers wing for Gio Aplon who has been given an extra week to recover from knee surgery.
Gary van Aswegen has been handed the number 10 jersey but may just be able to get some sleep this week in the knowledge that he will have Jean De Villiers and Jacque Fourie as his centres.
DHL Stormers squad is 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Juan de Jongh.
This could get tricky for the stormers..
Elstadt looked good vs sharks in pre-season warm-up game.but that was playing at flank.bekker to partner him.
As a Lions supporter I like this team. They are gonna have to play very well.
Juan de jongh on the bench????!
CJ is weaker than most people know.
Lions have a good chance to upset the stormermannetjies..
But that is based on their last 40 min vs bulls.
@Speed7 (Comment 5) : CJ is weak, ive been saying it for years.
Jake White said he is a monster and people ate it up.
Any idea when lions team will be announced?
Elstadt is a bit hard nosed so it makes sense playing him at 4, I think its a good move
But then again,louw ,burger and vermeulen not so shabby either..jean div and j f in centre combo..bekker should give lions probs in line-outs..scrums??
@Speed7 (Comment 5) : @Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 8) :
I agree with this!!
CJ is crappola and always has been.
Ive NEVER seen him dominate an opponent at scrum time, NEVER!!
seriously, why Elstadt at 4? What’s wrong with Fondsie? Is he injured?
Lions to win this time round
@wpw (Comment 12) : Awww crap. I’ve already made my Superbru predictions and picked the Stormers to squeak it against the Lions.
Maybe Gary van Aswegen will be to the Stormers what Lambie is for the Sharks?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 14) : They may get more points for not playing than playing
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Fondse is nursing a calf injury i think.Dont quote me on it.
sorry, I know I am out of the loop with WP/Stormers rugby, but who the hell is Danie Poolman?
We keep getting fed these stories about legendary backline depth in the cape, yet they are able to name a complete unknown to start at wing in a Super Rugby game and it goes unnoticed.
Watch the Sharks pick a guy like Richards and then suddenly the press will be going on about a “wing crisis”…
@Butchie34 (Comment 15) : having watched both play…?
I doubt it
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Maties wing.Mad talented and strong.I would have gone with JJ but thats just me.
Also the rule is pick the matie before anyone else
I’ve heard that apparently the game between the Hurricanes and Crusaders will be called off this weekend with the result being deemed a ‘draw’.
Unfortunately, it also sounds as though the playing surface at Jade Stadium isn’t suitable anymore and all their games might have to be moved to Dundedin or Wellington.
The poor guys, it must really be bad to have two earthquakes within five months of each other. Hopefully, they can get everything back on course and none of the WC matches have to be moved out of Chch.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 20) :
Poolman is a good call. Elstadt surprising. Fondse injured.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 21) :
Straight.
@Butchie34 (Comment 15) :
Thats pushing it but here’s hoping.
I saw some good touches of VA but I doubt he is in Lambie’s class.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Don’t think so either. I’m sorry to say but it kind of serves them right. They should have used some of the CC games last year to develop depth in their FH position, instead they persisted with de Waal.
@Butchie34 (Comment 16) :
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Seriously 
He played against us or the Lions in the Neo Africa competition 
Juan De Jongh is a special player, and I hope he is not used as a reserve, but rather a super sub… He is biding his time for Jean De Villiers to move on…
CJ V/D Linde is not a bad person to have in comparison to their previous options. Liebenburg is a major blow, which is obvious especially if the proposed trade (Cooper) doesn’t materialise…
Bekker is a boon, and their loosies work well together… Ricky Januarie should be benched and Dewies promoted…
I am not sure how to call this one, but I am hoping The Lions stun the Capetonians…
A passionate Lions by 7 (hopefully) –
Stormers have the quality to beat them if the game remains structured… The flyhalf is the make or break for both teams…
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 27) : He played both matches. Apparently did really well against the Lions but got pwned when he played us.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 28) :
I agree wrt Ricky. Very disappointing considering what he has achieved in the past (especially at Bok level)
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 28) : Ja, it’s not that much longer by this time next year the Storers will have to find players to replace a wing (Habana), Inside centre (JDV) and outside centre (JF). Not to mention whoever else decides to chase the Pound or Euro.
Januarie should be benched for Boland. Would rather have Conradie playing than the fourth prop (if I was a Stormers supporter of course).
@Butchie34 (Comment 31) : Can’t argue there… Their lock depth will be tested too, what with Anton being quite senior in years himself, CJ won’t be there much longer, I am not sure he will be in SA post 2011… Tiaan Liebenburg is also not all that young and Deon Fourie has to make his mark, they will need backup… Conrad @ 15 is also not around for much longer, he will be playing for a RWC 2011 spot, and can’t see him stay around much after – regardless of Bok swansong or not… The Stormers much vaunted depth will be tested to the hilt. Ali Coetzee not sitting with a youthful senior squad at all… Schalk, hmmm, I can’t see him around post RWC, unless he stays faithful to The Stormers at the price of running a small militia… Interesting times ahead… New look Bulls, new look Stormers come 2012… Ye old dogs of war…
Its probabably not a bad team but somehow does not look quiete “right”
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 32) : They already have a depth issue this year.
One hooker’s down and they’re already in a hooking crisis. If Peter Grant were to get injured they’d be in a FH crisis. With Januarie and Bryan Banana playing they have a crisis at scrummie and wing already.
@Butchie34 (Comment 34) : Yep… Both are in bok contention / bok guarantees…
@Butchie34 (Comment 29) : yup – he can’t have done ANYTHING against us, or else I wouldn’t be asking who he is :0
Sorry thought we were talking about Gary van Aswegen.
I don`t get it. Didn`t Grant join them ?
Lions are probably itching to have a go at them before Alister notice JdJ on the bench.
Really would`ve had Poolman on the bench with JdV on the wing.
@Original Champion (Comment 38) : The problem is that Grant is jetlagged, as well as not having taken part in any of the off-season with the Stormers. This is also compounded by the fact that he’s used to playing in a much softer league.
Still, this means huge problems for the Stormers.
If I was a Stormers supporter I would’ve also wanted JdV on the wing with Poolman on the bench.
@Butchie34 (Comment 37) : nah, was talking about Poolman.
I saw VAswegen play against us and though he did reasonably well, without being great. Then again, Stormers were getting paneled up front, so hardly fair to judge a flyhalf in those conditions.
@Original Champion (Comment 38) : their planning has been badly exposed here. To my mind, starting with Grant would have been very risky, but shit man, didn’t they see this coming when they allowed Grant to go to Japan? The experience with Tony Brown a few years ago should still be fresh in their memories. Sharks have also ALWAYS had this sort of problem when getting guys from Japan.
@robdylan (Comment 40) : Maybe my opinion of him was warped because after the Lions’ game all I heard was how fantastic he was and he was really hyped up and after seeing him play it was a bit anti-climactic.
To be honest, I wish the Sharks were playing the Stormers in Newlands this weekend. Seems like the best opportunity to beat them at home.
@robdylan (Comment 41) : If I remember correctly Tony Brown was also the only guy we got from Japan. He arrived late as well but by the time he arrived, Butch James had got back from injury and lifted his game to the point where Jake White couldn’t leave him out of the Boks.
@Butchie34 (Comment 43) : It happened with Epi Taione as well, although, in hindsight, that was a blessing in disguise.
Crusaders VS Hurricanes – confirmed that it is not happening. Does this mean its a bye for the (first of two)?
Just preventing a double comment from appearing…
@robdylan (Comment 44) : Too true. That guy…
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 45) : I heard that both teams will get two points – as though it were a draw.
The next question is what is going to happen to Ma’a Nonu’s suspension? He was banned for a week but it doesn’t help if his team doesn’t play anyway.
Also heard that the Crusaders games will have to be moved to play in either Dunedin or Wellington. Being rather selfish, it might help us not having to play them in Chch.
@robdylan (Comment 44) : True That!
@Butchie34 (Comment 31) : @DarkDestroyer (Comment 32) :
You guys are just speculating!
Jean, Schalk and Bekker stated recently they wont be leaving anytime soon. I think Schalk has dreams of captaining the Boks while Jean has played overseas and maybe he feels he wants to retire here (he said he doesnt wanna leave soon)
Aplon recently signed a 3 year contract extension and Habs and Fourie’s contracts should also be extended soon!!
Why would they leave CT if they are worshipped and adored here?
no point in having jdv or jacques if you have a slow scrummie in the team. januarie is going to put aswegen under pressure. especially if vermaak plays anything like he did last week.
@wpw (Comment 49) : For the same reason they went there. Money?
No seriously, while they would be thorns in the Sharks’ side (at least Fourie, Habana’s days are over I think), it would only be good for SA Rugby if they are still around next year. It would be really rough on whoever takes over from PDivvy to have to replace 90% of the Boks from 2011.
@wpw (Comment 49) : Well indeed, it was speculation… You guys are more than welcome to keep your heroes… We’ll just keep attacking Habana’s wing…
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Danie Poolman was the leading try scorer in u21 last year and I think WP u21 player of the year. He seems to be a harder worker than JJ Engelbrecht and has played centre as well so I believe his handling skills are good as well.
He’s one of Paarlbok’s buddies as well.
I can’t see the Stormers being in any hurry to put the 2 youngsters on – Malherbe and Ntubeni were u19 last year.
Malherbe is bound to become a household name in the next few years.
@Butchie34 (Comment 50) :
You have got to be kidding me.
Jaque Fourie is one of the best outside centres in the world and he is still only 26.
Habs is now 27 years old. He is just going through a slump. He did score about 6/7 tries during last year’s S14.
@Butchie34 (Comment 43) : James only got into the Bok team after the 49-0 debacle where Jake finally woke up to the fact that Wacko Jaco is rubbish!
Before then Butch had last played for the Boks in 2002 in the 53-3 thrashing by the Poms! Pretorius was crocked, Jaco was rubbish, Meyer Bosman was a wide-eyed rookie with snot dripping out his nose who couldn’t be thrown at the All Blacks so butch got game
I also read it would be a 2 point each draw – bit unfair to them IMO. One might have walked out with 4 points, making a huge diffs in the conference standings.
Rob, to my knowledge, no shark makes it back alive from Japan
Will be like taking candy from a baby.
@Ice (Comment 57) : I don’t think either side is really worried about conference standings at this stage of the game – and credit to them for that.
@Butchie34 (Comment 51) :
The money is no longer in UK/France. Both the pound and euro are weak against the Rand and French clubs especially are having to cut budgets. A lot of the top guys in SA are already earning more than they can earn overseas.
@beet (Comment 53) : my argument, though, is that if the Sharks had picked a side featuring (say) Mark Richards at wing, Anotn Bresler at lock and Monde Hadebe and Dale Chadwick on the bench, the papers would be going bos about hat a weak side it was.
Seems the Stormers are given a lot of leeway when it comes to backing unknown youngsters.
@wpw (Comment 12) :
Agree. Really don’t know what so many coaches see in him. He’s a walking penalty too. Never known a player give away so many!
@Villie (Comment 60) : to paraphrase, that particular ship done sailed
@Villie (Comment 62) : I hope the Stormers play CJ at 1 against us.
Jannie will, I’m sure, systematically dismantle him.
Man, I can’t believe what a HUGE Jannie Dup fan I’ve become!
@wpw (Comment 55) : I have no doubt he’ll look much better in this year’s Super 15 because the Stormers backline plays a lot better than the Bok backline and includes the wingers. But I still believe he has fallen behind and there are better wings.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : If Jannie Dup played for the Stormers he would no doubt be accused of being like a fine wine and maturing more every year.
@Butchie34 (Comment 66) : I think Jannie quite honestly doesn’t like playing second fiddle… and there’s nothing really wrong with that either.
When he came to durbs, he was behind BJ in the pecking order and then had to share the jersey with Smit too, which I don’t think went down well. Now that he has emerged as the clear first choice 3, I reckon his head is a lot clearer and his game is improving all the time as a result.
@robdylan (Comment 67) : PDivvy also needs to install him as the number 1 tighthead for the Boks as well. CJ came back from Ulster to be considered but he isn’t close to being in the same league as Jannie. Although the Boks can just lift our entire frontrow as the number one combo for the Boks.
Always found it funny how the combos sort of came together:
Front row: Sharks
Lock pairing: Bulls
Backrow: Combo
Halfbacks: Bulls
Centres: Stormers
Outside backs: Combo
BTW, just as an aside – it’s not the MTN Lions, but just the Lions.
@robdylan (Comment 61) : Poolman and Van Aswegen both played in the Neo Africa series so it shouldn`t be that much of a surprise. Still, I would`ve done it differently.
@Butchie34 (Comment 68) : Is BJ Botha out of the mix for the world cup now or does he still stand a chance?
@robdylan (Comment 59) : True Rob, but I still see it as a bit unfair – obviously tragedy aside… Purely from a comp point of view.
He might still be in the mix, but he’s still playing overseas and I think PDivvy wants all his players to be playing rugby in SA for them to be considered. That’s why Butch signed with the Lions (other than the huge payday, of course). But I’ve heard that the Lions are in talks with BJ to sign him as well, so you never know.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : I hear you on this one! I used to think that Jannie was an average scrummager with poor temperament/discipline, and even worse handling skills. While I’m not totally convinced of his hands, one can’t argue that as far as his principle job, anchoring the scrum, is concerned, he’s currently without peer in SA. And a decent tighthead should be a non-negotiable for any team with championship aspirations.
@Ice (Comment 71) : I agree with you
@Culling Song (Comment 73) : Im with you , i used to be a fierce critic of the doc but he has really come on in leaps and bounds, now if only CJ could follow his example
@robdylan (Comment 74) : Is it just to get me to shut up?
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 75) : I have a sneaking suspicion that somewhere inside CJ there’s a frustrated back trying to get out, because he certainly seems to prefer running with the ball than doing the hard graft in the tight facets!
@Culling Song (Comment 77) : If you read John Smits book, even Smitty says that CJ is a frustrated centre.
Lions like to upset Stormers but so I would not be as brave as to pick the DHL men on LMS but it’s a good team.
@Speed7 (Comment 5) : yip – he’s been out of “this” game for a while.
@rekinek (Comment 79) : Last time Lions beat Stormers was in 2001.
Why is it not ‘MTN’ Lions?
@McLovin (Comment 81) : that’s a long time. So it was these necessary bonus points that the Stormers were denied in between.
@rekinek (Comment 83) : Yip, that’s all they were good at.
@McLovin (Comment 81) : is it in Super rugby or also in CC?
@Butchie34 (Comment 72) : So what about francois steyn? And by the way I think Butch took a pay cut by coming back here.
@rekinek (Comment 85) : Only super rugby.
@Ben (Comment 86) : he was coming back from Bath not Toulon though…
@rekinek (Comment 88) : Ya and?
@rekinek (Comment 88) : Remember he playd in england. They pay in pounds
@Ben (Comment 89) : let me spell it then
I don’t think his salary was so exorbitant as premier French rugby club, so Gumede could actually match it or it was not such a brutal cut. just IMO
@rekinek (Comment 91) : Respect that but I think the difference between rand and pound is to big. So I think he will pay less now. Just what I think.
@Ben (Comment 90) : @Ben (Comment 90) : 1 pound = 1.18 euro and R 11.58. Used to be stronger.
@rekinek (Comment 93) : so let’s just use an example. If butch was paying 500 000 pounds a year they will now have to offer him about 6 mil rand a year to equal his salary
@Ben (Comment 94) : Probably got between 200 – 250k a season a Bath.
@McLovin (Comment 95) : so then the lions will have to pay him 3mil a season
@Ben (Comment 94) : they have 4ml savings from beast
@Ben (Comment 94) : i take your point but there seem to be some serious money going into Lions if the rumours are to be believed.
@Ben (Comment 96) : That’s more or less what top Bok players in SA get isn’t it?
@rekinek (Comment 97) : I think they are paying butch 2mil a year and I think he got more like 300k a year a @bath minimum. But I don’t have facts just what I think
@McLovin (Comment 99) : John Smit and beast pays 2mil now
@Ben (Comment 100) : then if your feeling is correct it is from approx 3,5 ml down to 2 ml. It is quite a difference.
when does one get info on players salaries? is it accessible at all?
@rekinek (Comment 98) : Yeah I have no doubt they can pay him 6 mil if they want but I’m sure they aren’t.
@Ben (Comment 101) : you mean they are being paid or to they have to pay in .. i know representing the sharks such an honour
@Ben (Comment 101) : Fourie and Habana get 3mil if I’m not mistaken.
Also read somewhere players will be getting more from endorsements in SA now. Not sure what changed, but apparently it brings their total earnings from rugby to pretty much the same as what they would get abroad.
Unless your name is Bakkies.
@rekinek (Comment 102) : Would also like to know the answer to that question
@McLovin (Comment 105) : Reason I don’t think butch will get that much is he’s playing days are very close from over. He’s not the same assset as beast would have been.
@rekinek (Comment 104) : The sharks pay them 2 mil and they have to pay in 4 mil to play for the sharks!
@Ben (Comment 108) :
@Butchie34 (Comment 68) : Lets hope that the Boks & management can pull it all together this RWC season, both The Stormers and The Bulls were in the S14 final, obviously one becoming / staying champs, and then come international season we were chumps…
@McLovin (Comment 105) : It has to do with SARPA creating more regulation where endorsements benefit all professional players… There is big bucks in SA rugby… Plus the rugby is better than abroad generally, with better systems, better weather… I can understand if a player is tired and needs / wants new scenery / stimulation, but SA is the place to play rugby… Bar a few policy deficiencies, we are a great professional set-up… (Unless your name is Bakkies)