Springbok prop Deon Carstens could play for the Stormers in next year’s Super Rugby tournament.
Sport24
Various sources have confirmed to Die Burger newspaper that Carstens – who currently plays for Saracens in England – will soon be employed by the Western Province Rugby Union. An announcement regarding the matter is expected to be made shortly.
WP’s director of coaching Rassie Erasmus told Die Burger on Tuesday that he’s happy with their reserves at prop, especially youngsters like Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, but didn’t exclude the possibility of adding another front ranker.
The Stormers look likely to be without the services of JC Kritzinger – who badly injured his knee – until late next year. They have also lost CJ van der Linde to the Lions, which means the Capetonians could go into Super Rugby without a prop able play loosehead and tighthead.
However, Carstens’s arrival would remove that problem as he is capable of packing down at both sides of the scrum. The former Shark made his Bok debut in 2002 as a tighthead but has played at loosehead successfully in the past. He played in the No 1 jersey for Saracens in the English Premiership on Sunday.
Carstens played nine Tests for the Boks and will add valuable experience and depth to the Stormers’ front row. His mentorship could mean a lot for Kitshoff and Malherbe and together with incumbent props, Brok Harris and Wicus Blaauw, the Stormers will feel much more comfortable going into the Super Rugby tournament.
I suppose that he will be a lot cheaper than CJ.
So Stormers are going to improve their light 5 a bit.
@ Lion4ever:
You don’t think that it replacing a has been with a never was?
Possibly Loosehead. I remember the name, but can hardly remember his game. Now if Stormers had signed JB Botha, he would make a big difference. One of those pocket sized no 3’s that will naturally scrum up against his opponent. But WP/Stormets obviously do not believe that a strong tight 5 is essential
I see the retirement home is filling up again. It is what we do so well down here in the Cape – offer wonderful homes with stunning sea views where all the old has beens can retire to. How can the aged refuse such an offer. We don’t want the young, dynamic potentials stars down here, oh no, the noise, fast cars and late partying is a recipe for disaster for the old boys, who are just looking for a bit of peace and quiet. Well done Stormers on another brilliant retirement signing, and keeping the dead alive.
The man is 32 years old, it is a well known fact that props play better as they get older, with 35 probably being their peak year barring injury. Richard Prentiss a Springbok played until he was 38 I think. One thing the English game does do is improve the props (GBS will disagree with me). Stormers owners ( cant remember the name of the company but Johan Rupert is the main shareholder) also have a majority share in Saracens…oh its SAIL. this is a good business decision and anybody who writes Carstens off is making a mistake.
@ 4man:
Nope not anymore there are 20 year old props doing great work. Remember the Laws dont allow tricks anymore , no more experience is needed. All you need is gym experience and good bench push numbers, HAHAHA.
Now look at a great experienced Gurthro in action. Hell the Bulls slipped up by letting him go.
I’ve always like Steenkamp. But disagree with you on the age thing. You might get slower in your 30’s, but you definitely get stronger.
Jy’t die clip gesteel van SARugby magasyn 😉
@ 4man:
Ja alright, maar ou GS lyk goed ne?
Hel ou dit was 43 grade celcuis vandag hier. Ek sukkel boonop met water in my kwekery. Maar ek fight dit uit en dinge lyk al heel goed.
4man wrote:
you saw my hahaha? well i too believe in experienced props. But the IRB is really trying their utmost to make scrums impotent. Soon we might have uncontested scrums. So sick.
Jis Super….dis n warm dag. Dit was 10 grade hier vandag…bewolk en so mis reen so nou en dan, maar die donker kom nou vroeg, by so 1600 moet ek die lig aan sit en as ek die honde voer half ses dan is dit pik swart buite. Ek dink Carstens is nog goed, hy’t net gewaai van die Sharks toe hy nie game time kry nie.
As a prop Deon Carstens is only above average. Why the Stormers are interested in him is that he can hold his own playing at either Loose or Tighthead.
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