Ex Planet Rugby
The Stormers have been dealt a double injury blow with the news that Gio Aplon and Duane Vermeulen are heading back to South Africa.
The duo have both been ruled out of the Stormers' final tour match against the Force in Perth on Saturday. Aplon has hamstring injury while and Vermeulen has been struggling with knee problem.
The South African conference leaders are already dealing with the absence of Springboks Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers and are sweating over the fitness of lock Eben Etzebeth, who is still struggling with a shoulder injury picked up against the Crusaders two weeks ago.
There is some good news for the Capetonians however as Andries Bekker should return from injury this weekend and is expected take over the captaincy role again.
Nick Koster is likely replace Vermeulen on Saturday while another back-line reshuffle is on the cards as coach Allister Coetzee must decide whether to return Bryan Habana to left wing and add JP du Plessis at outside centre, or bring Danie Poolman in on the wing to replace Aplon.
Wonder what dave thinks re Du Plessis taking the Centre berth. Would be nice to see him have a shot.
Stormers must win this one and then they will have a bye. Hopefully Burger will be back by the time they start again and Vermulen will also be found fit. No news yet on Jean.
I am sure Aplon will be back after the break.
Given meyers conservative stance not many in the pack will be chosen which will site the Stormers Super 15 camapaign. Bekker and Schalk could be the only selections (Schalk has had along rest). Jean seems destined to miss the tests so its only really Habana in the backline and maybe de Jongh and Aplon that could get called up by Meyer.
All this means the team should be pretty fresh for the last leg of the Super comp. Who will bear the brunt of Bok call ups?
