Peter Grant has been pushed into the Stormers match 22 for Saturday’s derby against the Sharks.
Grant returned to Cape Town on Tuesday after completing his club duties with the Japanese club Kobe Steelers. The Stormers flyhalf didn’t waste any time in taking to the training field, and was seen running with the squad at the High Performance Centre on Wednesday.
Coach Allister Coetzee brushed aside suggestions that Grant is being rushed back into Super Rugby action a week too soon. It will take some time to adapt after competing in the inferior Japanese competition, but Coetzee believes Grant will find his feet.
‘We’re all excited to have Pete back, and I’m pleased with the level of his conditioning,’ Coetzee said. ‘It will be good to have him as a bench option in a game of this nature.
‘We’ve decided to stick with Gary van Aswegen [in a starting capacity], as it’s the right thing to back the youngster, he needs the opportunity. Bash also needs a bit more time to settle in and this is why he wasn’t considered to start.’
Other changes to the Stormers side see Juan de Jongh returning from a jaw injury to reclaim his No 13 position. De Jongh’s inclusion forces Bryan Habana to the wing, while Gerhard van den Heever will warm the bench.
Siya Kolisi replaces Schalk Burger at flank while Nizaam Carr is brought into the match 22 as a loose forward reserve. Jean de Villiers will captain the team in Burger’s absence.
Stormers – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schrueder, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Elstadt is still not fit -when he is Steenkamp should drop out of the match 22. How long is Deon Fourie out for? Hpefully Schalk will b efit in 6 or so weeks. No more injuries please!!!!!!!!!!!!! Add these three players into the match 232 and it looks pretty good.
