Allister Coetzee has named his side to take on the Crusaders in what may just prove to be a very enthralling game which kicks off on Saturday morning at 9:35am (SA time)
Regular tighthead/flyhalf/inside centre Brok Harris returns to the starting side and replaces the very promising Frans Malherbe. It seems Coetzee is opting for Harris’ experience as they face one of the stronger scrummaging units in the competition.
Gerhard van den Heever starts in the number 14 jersey as Gio Aplon has struggled to shake off the injury he picked up against the Highlanders. The final change sees Nick Koster losing out altogether with his place on the bench going to Nizaam Carr.
The DHL Stormers team:
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gerhard van den Heever
13. Juan de Jongh
12. Jean De Villiers (C)
11. Bryan Habana
10. Peter Grant
9. Dewaldt Duvenage
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Rynhardt Elstadt
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Andries Bekker (VC)
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Brok Harris
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Steven Kitshoff
Reserves:
16. Deon Fourie
17. Frans Malherbe
18. De Kock Steenkamp
19. Nizaam Carr
20. Louis Schreuder
21. Burton Francis
22. Gio Aplon / JP du Plessis
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Malherbe looked really good last weekend..
What is with Koster being dropped? Out of favour or an injury niggle?
Correct me if I am wrong, but Elstadt is first and foremost a flanker, not a lock?
Has JP du Plessis made his Super Rugby debut, or might this be it?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) :
That’s correct Rich. Elstadt has always been a flanker.
Wrt Koster, I have no idea why he is out of favour. He has been playing well of late. 😕 ❓
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) :
Hehehe
I think this is it Rich. His elevation to the Bok captaincy has begun! 😉 😈
@wpw (Comment 3) :
Thanks..
I suspect he must have a niggle to fall out completely..
The loose trio is playing well considering they are without Schalk.
Actually starting to think JDV is making a good captain…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
Is that an admission that hendrikp was actually right when he said the Stormers have depth at loose forward??
😆
@wpw (Comment 7) :
Hahaha.. KSA will kill me if I said it in those exact words..
You cannot take away from the fact that the Stormers are doing well in all areas, the front row is doing a great job, the locks are immense, the loose trio is firing..
In the backline, Duvenhage and Grant is doing the business, JdV and JdJ are good in combination and the wingers are getting the tries. Habana is getting some good form again.
This might just be your year!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) :
They are doing well aren’t they??
I think we would be even better if we actually had other options at 9 & 10. Duvenage and Grant don’t have the ‘x-factor’
If we had someone like Goosen, Lambie or even Elton at 10 there would be an improvement in our backline play. 😕
@wpw (Comment 9) :
Do you think you have someone in your current set up that could take over from either one of the two?
Which of the flyhalves do you rate?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) :
JP du Plessis
@Big Fish (Comment 11) :
Will he play both scrumhalf and flyhalf?
And captain..
And vice captain..
And head-coach while we are at it..
@Big Fish (Comment 11) :
😈
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) :
He played 3 mins for the Rebels off the bench last year, against the Hurricanes.
So technically, it’s his second game.
Louis Schreuder deserves a shot. We desperately need a Hougaard type scrumhalf. Someone who can actually challenge the defense. No surprises we lag FAR FAR behind in line-breaks compared to all the other teams.
I’m a believer that Grant would’ve made the perfect 12 somewhere… but I guess he’s still the best option (at 10) in the Cape right now, by a country mile actually.
@hendrikp (Comment 14) :
Thanks..
@wpw (Comment 9) : Isn’t Hougaard coming to play for you or are those rumours rubbish?