While there’s still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the composition of the Stormers pack for this weekend’s Super Rugby derby against the Lions at Newlands, we know for sure that one player, Steven Kitshoff, definitely won’t be there.
After a bit of a war of words between the Stormers and Junior Springbok coaching teams regarding the management of the strong 20-year-old prop, the kid is finally set to get a break, with Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot telling Rugby365 that he won’t play against the Lions. After carrying a huge workload in Super Rugby to date (much to the chagrin of SA Under 20 coach Dawie Theron), Kitshoff was then started in every one of the Bokkies’ 5 matches in the recently-completed IRB Junior World Championships. At times, the lad appeared to be virtually sleepwalking on the field as the effect of quite so many big games over a short space of time started to take their toll.
Deon Carstens will continue at loose head for the Stormers this week, with Eben Etzebeth also likely to miss out. On the plus side, though, Andries Bekker should be back in the second row, his injury break having conveniently coincided pretty neatly with the test window.
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Good on Stormers looking after the best interests of Kitshoff. Youngster sure needs this break.
Reading SharksRugby see all of our Bok Sharks are rested until next Monday. Well done to them too for allowing our Bok players to recuperate. They too have had a very long season. To think Sharks had not even had their 2nd bye before the tests started. Players will need this rest for sure.
Why did they sign Carstens in the first place?? 🙄
To play Vodacom Cup rugby?? 😕
@wpw (Comment 2) : Come Wes, you know why, he was signed as a player/consultant, you think our scrum didn’t need help?
First Pieter Louw decides against a come back and now no Ginger. Who’s gonna be bringing sexy back for the Stormers in SR? 😈
@Big Fish (Comment 4) : Andries Bekker.
@Salmonoid (Comment 5) :
The Joling Green Giant? 😆