Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has picked a large squad to attend this weeks’ training camp in Hermanus, an indication that even if he does have some pretty good ideas to what his final squad will look like, he certainly doesn’t intend to narrow his scope just yet.
As anticipated, the group includes Kings back Scott van Breda, who is still officially “on loan” to the side, but in with a shot of making the final group if he continues to impress. Also in the group is new Argentine lock import Manuel Carizza, but perhaps surprisingly in a game that tends to see a lot of movement in the off-season, there are no other players who have been brought in from outside the province this year.
Instead, Coetzee has opted to bolster his roster with youngsters from within the WP system; Oli Kebble, Godlen Masimla, Pat Howard and Kobus van Wyk were all part of last year’s trophy-winning under 21 side, while Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward), Jean Kleyn (lock) and Ryno Eksteen (flyhalf) are all still eligible for under 21 rugby this year. All seven will train with the “big boys” this week, even if it is rather unlikely that any will feature in Super Rugby this year.
Stormers: Gio Aplon, Ruan Botha, Schalk Burger, Manuel Carizza, Nizaam Carr, Demetri Catrakilis, Pat Cilliers, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Ryno Eksteen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Deon Fourie, Tazz Fuzani, Nic Groom, Brok Harris, Pat Howard, Cheslin Kolbe, Oliver Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Tiaan Liebenberg, Frans Malherbe, Godlen Masimla, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, De Kock Steenkamp, Jaco Taute, Gary van Aswegen, Scott van Breda, Michael van der Spuy, Kobus van Wyk, Alistair Vermaak, Duane Vermeulen.
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No real weaknesses on paper….
@KingsArmy (Comment 1) : wing?
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Kolbe, Aplon, Pat Howard and van Breda…….not ideal, given the last two are not really wings.
v/d Heever is a big loss
I’ll be surprised if Pat Howard is not part of the final squad.
Quality outside centre who can play wing
Injuries can break any team, but think applon, kolbe and taute will make a good back three [in s15]. Howard, de allende and v breda will provide cover……