Schalk Burger leads a DHL Stormers side featuring 6 changes (all injury enforced ) to the starting lineup that prevailed over the Highlanders at Newlands last weekend. Burger’s young charges face the daunting task of upsetting the three-time champion Vodacom Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
Regular captain Jean de Villiers along with left wing Kobus van Wyk are the backline casualties and are replaced by Peter Grant and Cheslin Kolbe (in his run-on debut) respectively.
Up front, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Michael Rhodes have all been ruled out as well, with Ruan Botha switching to the number 5 jersey to join up with newcomer Jean Kleyn in the second row, as Pat Cililers and Brok Harris form am all-new prop pairing.
There have been casualties on the bench too; Ollie Kebble, Jurie van Vuuren and Louis Schreuder are all out too meaning promotion for Stephan Coetzee (who takes over as reserve hooker from Deon Fourie, himself covering loose forward this week), Alistair Vermaak (on debut), Martin Dreyer, Dylon Frylinck (on debut), Michael van der Spuy and Devon Williams
DHL Stormers: 15. Jaco Taute, 14. Damian de Allende, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Peter Grant,11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Schalk Burger (captain), 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Brok Harris
Substitutes:16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Martin Dreyer, 19. Siya Kolisi, 20. Deon Fourie, 21. Dylon Frylinck, 22. Michael van der Spuy, 23. Devon Williams
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Why oh why are they still wasting de Allende on the wing?!?!?!
@JD (Comment 1) : Why do people still think he is any good?
@JD (Comment 1) : 1) He doesn’t pass 2) Allister wants him on the wing to collect kicks
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 3) : @Seth101 (Comment 2) : the games I saw him play he really looked like a good player. He looked like the perfect replacement for JDV and he would be way better at 12 than Grant.
I hope these guys can at least prevent the Bulls from scoring 4 tries
@JD (Comment 4) : He has his moments but I just want a little something more from him, I actually think Grant should have shifted to 12 a while ago.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 6) : yes don’t think de Allendae is perfect but he’s a good prospect to replace JDV in the future and with the right coaching could be a huge player for WP/Stormers but at 12 not on the wing.
@Seth101 (Comment 2) : Geez what rugby have you been watching……de Allende has easily been the most effective SA player with ball in hand this season……his ability to beat the first defender is second to none.
He is completely wasted on the wing. He should be playing 13 ahead of de Jongh who can’t tackle
@Saffex (Comment 8) : *Klunk!*
That was the sound of me falling down in sheer disbelief; an entire post without the word “pathetic” being employed! Think I’m gonna go home now, the Rapture must be upon us!
I rate de allende as well. Think 13 should be his nr. He will probably end up at 12(100kg). Years ago some experts said Grant should stay at 12, but strms just keep their head down(grant can’t kick out of hands, has he ever take control of a game. Even demitri took control of the cc they won about two years ago). We need more attacking, creative inside centers and more bigger stronger 13’s
@Culling Song (Comment 9) :
Kaksnaaks. Maybe he got some Thursday morning nookie?