Mighty Stormers announce 2017 squad

Ex Supersport:

DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has named a 45-man squad ahead of the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

The group has a good blend of youth and experience, with five players under the age of 21 and 10 players with over 50 Vodacom Super Rugby caps to their name.

Fleck said that after a hard pre-season, it was difficult to cut the squad down to just 45 names, which is testament to the depth he has at his disposal.

"This squad is missing players like Scarra Ntubeni, Leolin Zas and Steph de Wit due to long-term injuries, but there is certainly plenty of talent here.

"The players who did not make it onto this list are by no means out of the reckoning and could well still play an important role for us this season in what we all know will be a tough campaign," he said.

The DHL Stormers coach said that the players and management cannot wait to get going with their preparations for their opening game against the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

"Everyone has worked incredibly hard in the last few months building up to this and we are very keen to get out there and show our faithful fans what we are capable of," he added.

Tickets for the DHL Stormers' clash with the Vodacom Bulls are available from wprugby.computicket.com or any Computicket outlet.

Season ticket renewals and sales for DHL Newlands in 2017 are open. Go to wprugby.computicket.com to secure your seat today.

Squad: Juarno Augustus, Bjorn Basson, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Jan de Klerk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Rob du Preez, Dewaldt Duvenage, Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, Huw Jones, Oli Kebble, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Godlen Masimla, SP Marais, Bongi Mbonambi, Dean Muir, Khanyo Ngcukana, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Caylib Oosthuizen, Justin Phillips, Ramone Samuels, JD Schickerling, Marnus Schoeman, Seabelo Senatla, Chad Solomon, JC Janse van Rensberg, Frans van Wyk, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Jano Vermaak, EW Viljoen, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Eduard Zandberg.

 How do you think your coach will get on this year Beeno? I hope he hits his straps.
Lots of bloody good players in that squad.

 nah, they'll continue having problems with those mini-backrowers, mini-wings and mini-FB



besides they've lost strength in the front row,... very strong second row but the forward pack as a whole seems weak,... they are already getting their pants dirty thinking this year they have to face the NZ teams

 Basq, I  agree with your view of the small back row and other small players. I'm hopefull that we'll do better this year, but this ain't no champion team. Nice to see you posting again. Just because I don't always agree with you, doesn't mean I don't like you. I know Moz think you don't have a sense of humor...I don't agree, I think you are a bit too serious at times, but that's OK. Enjoy the rugga next week!

 Mighty Stormers?  Neh!
The main problem there is the uncertainty and the greed for money by the management - that can unsettle any team.  A squad of brilliant players is worth squat if there is no cohesion and TEAM.  We saw what can happen with a bunch of "average" players when the management play along and the team spirit is high - the Lions did that..
Good luck with the team and the coach..they have management to contend with.. 

The Hapless Stompies are going to get smashed by the New Zealand sides.

 "The Hapless Stompies are going to get smashed by the New Zealand sides."
Correction:
The Hapless South African sides are going to get smashed by the New Zealand sides.  What else is new?

"What else is new?"
Ummmmmmm . . . did you watch last year's Super Rugby tournament, chump?
Take a look how many Kiwi sides the Lions beat on their way to the final last year.
The Sharks lost at home to the Crusaders, lost away to the Blues but then beat the Highlanders on the road and smashed the eventual chapions the Hurricanes at Kings Park.
Correct your own ignorance, dumbo.
The Hapless Stompies are going to get pulverised by the NZ sides. 

 thanx, Dbdraad,... appreciate your good feelings

and enjoy your rugga too