Boland flyhalf Elgar Watts has an ideal opportunity to claim a Stormers spot, following the news that Springbok Peter Grant won’t be back from Japan in time for the pre-season tri-series.
The Stormers play the Lions at Newlands next Friday, January 28, and the Sharks at the same venue on Saturday, February 5.
Grant, playing for Kobe Steelers in Japan, won’t be back in time for the pre-season outings and Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told a media gathering on Thursday that he is “confident” the Bok No.10 will return in time for the start of the season in mid-February.
The 26-year-old Grant’s return date depends on how far his Kobe club advances. They are currently joint fourth in the Japanese Top League standings and could still reach the play-offs.
However, the Stormers have a bye in Week One of the expanded Super Rugby season and host the Lions at Newlands on February 26.
That gives Grant almost a month before the Stormers are in action in the tournament proper.
In the meantime it opens the door for the likes of Watts, who will start at flyhalf for the Stormers against Maties on Saturday, and Lionel Cronje, who is on the bench this week, to lay claim to a regular spot in the Cape Town franchise’s matchday 22.
The other news on the injury front is far more positive, with Coetzee revealing that lock Andries Bekker has recovered from the back injury that ruled him out since June last year and has been training “full-out” with the Stormers.
Meanwhile, star Bok centre Jaque Fourie is also recovering well from the foot injury that ruled him out of the year-end tour and he has been running freely and without any pain.
Coetzee told the media that Fourie may not be ready for the warm-up fixture against the Lions at Newlands next Friday week, but he too should be fit for the start of the season next month.
The veteran midfielder made his return to the training field this week and Coetzee was happy with his progress.
“The fact that he is completely pain free is an indication that there is an excellent chance he will be ready to start the [Super Rugby] season,” Coetzee said.
Apart from Fourie fellow Bok utility back Jean de Villiers has also sat out training, but he will be back next week.
“We are just managing him carefully,”the Stormers coach said.
Coetzee on Thursday also announced his team to play Maties at the Danie Craven B Field, in Stellenbosch, on Saturday.
The team includes only a few regulars from last year – locks De Kock Steenkamp and Adriaan Fondse, as well as prop JD Moller.
They will, no doubt, be out to show they are worthy of regular places in what will be a very competitive matchday 22 during the regular season.
Stormers: 15 Marcel Brache, 14 Tiger Bax, 13 Burton Klaassens, 12 Michael Van Der Spuy, 11 Tythan Adams, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Willem van der Wal, 7 Tertius Daniller, 6 Wimpie van der Walt, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements – from: Albe de Swardt, Tom Botha, Hilton Lobberts, Reniel Hugo, Nic Groom, Lionel Cronje, Willie Le Roux, Reuben Johannes, Garrick Matthee, Kurt Coleman, Quinn Roux.
I don’t see how this gives Watts a chance. In my opinion it gives Cronje a chance, which he does deserve a few 80 minute games rather than 10 minutes at the end), but after Lionel the next guy in line is Van Aswegen. After him it’s Watts.
At least it better be. If we start bumping people up because they are quotas a guy like Van Aswegen (who in my opinion is as promising as lambie) will leave. And we will suffer each time he plays against us in a few years time.
Lionel is a good physical player, but I’ve yet to see the form that made him the SA u-21 player a couple of years ago. But I’m open to being convinced.
Van Aswegen however looks the real deal. Anyone who watched the CC U-21 final would agree with me. He kicked everything, ran his line well, scored tries and defended superbly. The complete package IMO.
Remember this name.
stormersboy @ 1
“Lionel is a good physical player, but I’ve yet to see the form that made him the SA u-21 player a couple of years ago. But I’m open to being convinced.”
..
hmmm, good point of view … the open to be convinced part that is … just a shame that it seems like you’ve made your mind up about watts though.
anyway, i agree with you … i’d like to see cronje get gametime … we’ve been hearing about him for some time, so yes, he SHOULD BE first in line to get the starting spot in this 3series!
Bah!! Not fussed about the Stormers, they will implode anyway. Of more concern is my Cheetahs!! Oh yes it’s a fact, great things happening in Harleyville. Rather want to hear from Smallies, and Lossehead, what their news is about the team sheet for Durbs.. Peter Grant is the least of my concern, with the Stormers scrum set to take another whipping, the much vaunted backline will be defending the entire S15 anyway lol
@ Cheetah4eva:
Tjom, jy het beslis nie laasjaar se S14 die Stormers se games gevolg nie? Stormers het nou wel nie skrums oorheers nie, maar het hul man goed gestaan. En wat help dit jy kan goed skrum, maar jy eindig nogsteeds 10de oppielog, met 7games verloor?
Cheetahs gaan weer uit die bus val!!
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