Ex keo
The Stormers will be without key forward Steven Kitshoff for the clash against the Bulls as the youngster has been drafted into the SA U20 squad.
According to the Cape Argus, the 20-year-old Kitshoff will join the Baby Boks as they come together to prepare for the Junior World Championship. He will not be available for the Stormers’ game against the Bulls this Saturday, and will play for the Baby Boks while some of his Stormers team-mates are enjoying a rest during the break for internationals in June.
Kitshoff has proved to be one of the finds of the season, and has started in all of the Stormers’ 12 games to date (Crazy stuff from Alistair). There will be no rest for Kitshoff as he plays for the Baby Boks and then resumes his starting role in Super Rugby when the tournament resumes at the end of June.
The more immediate problem for the Stormers is finding a loosehead to fill the void in the front row. Their squad has operated with just one loosehead for the past 12 matches, with Brok Harris, who is a tighthead, named as the official replacement for Kitshoff.
Saracens and former Bok No 1 Deon Carstens was signed in the off-season, but hasn’t played for the Stormers as yet. Carstens was on the bench for the Vodacom Cup final, and even when he took the field the Western Province scrum continued to struggle against their Griquas counterparts.
Wonder what happened to Blauw and Kritzinger?
With Kitshoff out along with Burger, Vermuelen, Kostner and Carr, I can nevertheless expect a barrage if the bulle forwards match ours. I mean injuries mean nothing. Bwahahahahahahha
Harris should be fine at loosehed and Malherbe at tighthead. Replacements look to be the problem. Kolisi should be back and Joe as well which will help.
Go Mighty Stormers time to put the bulle to the sword!
