The DHL Stormers have given Schalk Burger until Friday’s captain’s practice to prove his fitness for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Western Force at Newlands.
Burger was on Wednesday named in the Stormers team and was the man sitting in at the lunch time press conference as the captain, but he didn’t take part in the training session in the morning and Siya Kolisi is standing by to play in his place. According to coach Allister Coetzee, flanker Rohan Kitshoff will come onto the bench if Burger isn’t cleared to play.
“It is touch and go at the moment and my back is a bit sore and bruised at the moment,” admitted Burger.
Duane Vermeulen, who is being rested from training this week, will replace Burger as captain should he not come through Friday’s run.
An unexpected change to the team comes at flyhalf, where Peter Grant returns even though Kurt Coleman has been excellent in the No 10 over the past few weeks. However Coetzee explained it away as a selection guided by a desire to give Grant an opportunity to start on the occasion of his landmark 100th game for the Stormers.
“Kurt has the maturity to accept the decision. He has played well in the past few weeks, but Peter has been such a stalwart for us that we owe him an opportunity to run out in front of the team at Newlands and celebrate his 100th game in style,” said Coetzee.
“Peter has had his goalkicking problems this season, but there isn’t that much to choose between the two players, and I am sure Peter will want to do well in such a significant game in his career.”
Coleman drops to the bench, where he is joined by Jean Kleyn, who started at No 4 lock last week against the Bulls. Michael Rhodes is back from injury and will slot into his position, with Ruan Botha having done well enough at No 5 last week to continue as the leader of the lineout. Rhodes was in outstanding form for the Stormers against the Highlanders and while Kleyn is a highly promising player, Rhodes will bring much needed experience.
Grant is not the only player celebrating a landmark this weekend. Prop Brok Harris, who is over the cut that forced him off the field at Loftus and has been named in the team, will be playing his 200th combined game for the Stormers and Western Province.
The other change to the team comes in the outside backs, where Damian de Allende switches from wing to inside centre from wing in place of Grant, who wore the No 12 at Loftus last week. Kobus van Wyk returns at right wing after sitting out the Bulls game because of injury.
STORMERS: Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Peter Grant, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (captain), Nizaam Carr, Ruan Botha, Michael Rhodes, Pat Cilliers, Deon Fourie, Brok Harris.
Replacements: Stephan Coetzee, Alistair Vermaak, Martin Dreyer, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Dylon Frylinck, Kurt Coleman, Michael van der Spuy.
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