DHL Stormers
And so we move on to the backs, but before we do, some housekeeping and a summary of what has happened through player movements at Stormers HQ from the 2012 to the 2013 season.
“This is where the debate starts to get interesting. So much conjecture around Schalk Burger, his role and where he should play. With Francois Louw gone, is the fetching role going to be an area of contention?” This was my view from the same article 12 months ago – has anything changed?
Schalk Burger still under a cloud, Nizaam Carr still hobbling, but a plethora of very good players in the squad means that if these two players do ever get into frontline rugby again, the Stormers will certainly be able to post a formidable loose trio on match days!
With only four locks in the squad, and the well documented injury problems that Bekker seems to pick up on a regular basis, this looks like an area of concern for Alister Coetzee and his assistants.
Time to talk about the men in the middle. Although there is heaps of talent, and plenty of experience, they seem to be very thin on the ground, especially if Fourie does decide to migrate to the side of the scrum… or perhaps even further!
2012 Saw the Stormers topping the table in the round robin, only to lose out to the Sharks in the semi’s. 2013 Will be a big year for the boys. With almost the whole of the young 2012 squad still available and the coaching staff remaining unchanged (unlike the very disruptive 2012 start), this side has every chance of going all the way this year. Add to the squad the likes of Burger, Cilliers, Rhodes, Taute and Jantjies, depth in every position looks so much better.
The worst kept secret in South African rugby has finally been confirmed. Elton Jantjies will be a Stormer in 2013.
Springbok utility back Jaco Taute says he would like to be considered at fullback when he plays for the Stormers in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Jaco Taute, Lions and Springbok centre and fullback has penned his deal with the Stormers on loan from the Golden Lions Rugby Union, for Super Rugby 2013.
First of all, a heartfelt congratulations to the Sharks. A better team, a better Game plan, and a better execution. They came, they saw, they conquered.
Stormers (6) 19 / 26 (13) Sharks (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers hosted The Sharks in a Semi-Final of Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town at 17:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Duane Vermeulen got through a semi-contact session on Tuesday afternoon apparently without any complaints, but it is still touch and go whether he will be named in the Stormers team when it is announced later on Wednesday.
Springbok Eben Etzebeth was running at full tilt at the Stormers’ training session in Bellville on Thursday, and is fit to lock the side’s vulnerable scrum in their Super Rugby semi-final at Newlands next week.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee still hasn’t given up all hope of influential No 8 Duane Vermeulen being ready to play some part in the Super Rugby semifinal at Newlands against one of the Crusaders, Sharks or Bulls on 28 July.
The cup is in our hands.
Stormers (16) 26 / (0) 21 Rebels (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Stormers might have to wait a little longer before lock Eben Etzebeth is back on the park, with the big man still struggling to shake off an ankle injury.
Cheetahs (3) 6 / (3) 13 Stormers (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Stormers (13) 27 / (3) 17 Lions (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and the MTN Lions do battle in Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time.
This is the live match discussion Article
Discuss it at will if you please, we have not got an Author on standby to do live score updates for us at present, I am on route to Loftus.
The match is broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has revealed that line out specialist Andries Bekker is in line to return to Super Rugby against the Lions at the end of the month.
Well whoever said rugby was boring. In one fell swoop, the Sharks were left washed up on some beach on the Jukskei, the Bulls were humbled at home, Heyneke Meyer attempts to fark with our heads and Keo is up for a bit of sex and coke. And that is all before the Queen steps onto her barge!
Bulls (11) 14 / (9) 19 Stormers (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cape Town – The Stormers have recalled versatile loose forward Pieter Louw to help alleviate their current injury crisis in the back row.
A tug-of-war over Steven Kitshoff and the Stormers and the Baby Boks has intensified ahead of the Stormers crunch Super Rugby clash at Loftus.
Sharks (20) 25 / Stormers (6) 20 (Final Score)
The Sharks and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says they won’t continue their search for further loose forward reinforcements.
With 10 wins from 11 starts in Vodacom Super Rugby this season and top position in both the South African conference and the overall log, the Stormers don’t have much to complain about as they start to head towards the business end of the competition.
What, you may well ask has the headline got to do with this match. Let me explain.
Stormers (16) 19 / Waratahs (3) 13 (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Saracens eighthman Ernst Joubert could be on his way to Cape Town to help alleviate the Stormers’ loose forward injury crisis.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee wants SANZAR to change their regulations so that Super Rugby teams can field their strongest teams in the play offs.
Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that eighthman Nizaam Carr will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season due to injury.
As much as I hate this clichéd saying that every sports commentator has used with gay abandon since the 1980’s, where the English football hacks had run every overused idiom, including this one into the ground, it is most apt for this game. This really was “a game of two halves”.
During the Stormers and Cheetahs clash at Newlands a fight of sorts broke out in the second half. Just prior to this happening, Assistant referee Jonathan Kaplan had his flag out. Steve Walsh was about to walk over to him when the whole fight broke out.
Stormers (16) 16 / Cheetahs (0) 14 (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Canada’s Jebb Sinclair has been loaned by his Aviva Premiership side London Irish to the Stormers as loose forward cover.