Saracens eighthman Ernst Joubert could be on his way to Cape Town to help alleviate the Stormers’ loose forward injury crisis.
Sport24
According to sources, the former Lions No 8, who has plied his trade at Saracens since 2009, could join the Stormers’ training sessions as early as Wednesday.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that he’d made a number of overseas phone calls to find out who was available.
“At the moment we are okay, but what will happen if we lose yet another loose forward?
“Anything in possible.
“Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster will only be back from injury in July, but in the interim we need to make a plan for our next three Super Rugby matches against the Waratahs, Sharks and Bulls.”
Last week the Cape franchise surprised all and sundry by calling up unheralded Canadian loose forward Jebb Sinclair.
Sinclair was named on the substitutes’ bench for last Saturday’s match against the Cheetahs at Newlands, and following a serious knee injury to No 8 Nizaam Carr as early as the 22nd minute, Sinclair was summoned into action.
Coetzee has called upon Western Province Vodacom Cup flank Don Armand, who is expected to form part of the matchday 22-man squad to face the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday. Kick-off is 19:10.
Ceres-born Joubert, 31, has played 86 matches in total for Saracens, including 14 this season in which he has scored eight tries. Prior to his departure for England, he skippered the Lions.
In the presser on Saturday, it was mooted that perhaps Toetie should ring Ernst Joubert. Toetie, we all thought jokingly, said “does anyone have his number”. Obviously, he wasn’t joking!!!!!
Gosh thats eerie just this morning I posted comment with Ernst as 8th man in my “Overseas Boks” team then get a call from a Mr Coetzee asking if I had Ernst’s number, now I see this posted here and am really taken aback as I wasn’t aware of him being mentioned as a possibility at the presser
Jokes aside I think under the circumstances this is a good call as Ernst Joubert is a strong solid player who gives it his all and will bring loads of experience and strong leadership ability, reminds me of Andre Vos who was a player I admired for trying so hard each time he played. I guess he may have been drafted in last weekend instead of Sinclair but was still tied up with Saracens till then still involved in Aviva Premiership.
3 @ Bullscot:
Problem is always to judge whether a good performer up North will be a good performer in the Southern Hemisphere… case in point is Ruan Pienaar… stand-out up North but wayyyyyy average in the Bokke and anywhere here in SA for that matter.
4@ grootblousmile:
Yeah it is difficult to compare the quality of play in each hemisphere, I guess you can just say for Ernst that he has been a good player for Saracens playing against some top international players who have made life hard for the Boks at times. Ruan is a tough one and maybe Im a bit biased because I like the man, I think he did pretty good and deserved his Bok call up when playing in SA but for some reason hasn’t always performed to his potential for the Boks, also thought he did pretty good at flyhalf against the British Lions but then was subbed with Morne who ended up showing he was that bit better, who knows what if he got an extended run there at flyhalf.
Apparently Allister Coetzee’s attempts to get Ernst Joubert has been unsuccessful…. so that’s out the question then!
5 @ Bullscot:
Ruan should have stabilized at one position… scrumhalf…. loooong time ago.
Moving him backwards and forwards between scrummie, flyhalf, fullback and utilty back has caused great harm to his career.
Ernst Joubert was OK in SA, before he left for overseas, but nothing spectacular… same with Pedrie Wannenburg here towards the end of his SA stint.
Why do you think these guys stick out so much as outstanding performers up North?
6@ grootblousmile:
Oeps oh dear guess the ‘sources’ jumped the gun then. Its interesting though that Stormers are looking abroad for players, are there no players that could do a reasonable job locally, say from Griquas who are doing quite well in Vodacom Cup, or do the rules say Griquas have to play for Cheetahs in Super 15?
Sorry GBS just posted a long reply and it got lost somewhere in cyber space, will take this up again sometime with you to share my thoughts, must dash now cheers vir eers.
9 @ Bullscot:
Cheers Bully!
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