DHL Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee has made two injury enforced changes to the starting lineup ahead of Saturdays clash with the Toyota Cheetahs.
Captain Schalk Burger has been ruled out of rugby for 2-3 weeks and his spot in the lineup goes to the dependable Pieter Louw, Jean De Villiers will take over the captains armband Jacque Fourie is nursing a sore chest and will sit out for Juan de Jongh.
Peter Grant has gotten over his jetlag and will don the number 10 jersey, it seems that the stint in Japan was not as lucrative as he thought because he has been unable to afford blades and is still sporting a beard that will make Josh Strauss proud.
Ricki Januarie is deemed to have done enough to hold onto the number 9 jersey for another week and Rynhardt Elstadt proved that he is not out of place wearing number 4.
Gio Aplon has been given another week to recover from knee surgery and Danie Poolmans family donations to Maties has come through strong enough for him to keep his spot on the wing, JJ Engelbrecht falls out of the 22.
DHL Stormers squad :
15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Juan De Jongh, 12. Jean De Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Duane Vermuelen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Pieter Louw, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. CJ van Der Linde
Substitutes: 16. Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Nick Koster, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary Van Aswegen, 22. Paul Bosch
I’m pretty sure the Stormers will beat the Cheetahs this weekend. On a different note, I see Tigar Bax has signed with Saracens. Good for him.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 1) : Yeah just spotted that bit of news as well
I have a feeling we’re gonna lose this one!!
@wpw (Comment 3) : Away with you
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 4) :
Difficult game to pick this!
Not difficult at all. Stormers have too much firepower for the Cheetahs. Surely.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 2) : Looks like it’s only til the end of the season though. Maybe he’ll get a longer deal if he does well that side.
Have seen the Cheetahs team as well, they really are struggling with injured players now.
Stormers’ first bonus point win coming up.
@war1 (Comment 8) : Hes a talented kid, i see him spending some time there
Is this one at Newlands? Stormers to walk it
@robdylan (Comment 12) : The Cheetah’s has a good record at Newlands I think.
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : A good record of losing ja
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 11) : also one of Frodo’s mates, though…
Cheetahs last SupeRugby win at Newlands was 2006.
Last win in Bloem was 2007.
the Cheetahs team has also been announced on their FB page. I’m on my phone so can’t post it
@robdylan (Comment 12) : by 15 or more
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 14) : ice cold
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : I’m on it
@robdylan (Comment 15) : That is true.Slimey as an eel though
@robdylan (Comment 19) : It is what it is
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 14) : @McLovin (Comment 16) : I must be thinking CC
@Pokkel (Comment 23) : or I’m just talking shit.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 21) : an important type of player to have, but you can’t have too many of them
@Pokkel (Comment 23) : You must have been thinking Sharks.
@McLovin (Comment 26) :
So Grant is now in and Van Aswegen’s on the bench… Thought he acquitted himself quite well, all things considered, last week. Hope they give him some game time and don’t forget all about him now they don’t desperately need him any more.
Conrad and Enrico the only two week links in that side…else a very good side….
Both the worst in their position in SA (will actually pick Hougaardt and Kockett ahead of January as well)…
Poolman and Elstadt new but played with heart…
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 28) : I’m sure 2011 has been like a dream come true for Gary v Aswegen. I think a handful of people don’t realise that Gary did everything he possibly could to earn this opportunity to be in the Stormers squad. Last year he literally did not put a foot wrong. Some may call it a lucky break, others attribute it to a management fall out with Lionel Cronje, its just a pity that there aren’t enough voices putting down to hardwork and natural ability on Gary’s part. Altho it’s really going to be up to Gary to keep the coaching staff confident in his abilities, I can’t see the coaching staff forgetting him. Peter Grant in a blue hooped jersey beyond 2011 is an uncertainty, so it’s up to WP to keep the long term focus on Gary and/or sort out their “differences” with Lionel Cronje.