Stormers to rest Kitshoff, Etzebeth
THE Stormers will travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs this weekend without Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth and in-form loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff.
The duo are set to be rested and rotated for the Super Rugby clash after recent heavy workloads.
Etzebeth will sit out as part of an agreement with the South African Rugby Union (Saru) to rest key players, while Kitshoff is in need of a break after starting each of the Stormers’ 10 matches this season.
“When it comes to strategic rest, Eben and Steven Kitshoff come to mind,” coach Allister Coetzee said.
“Eben only started the season late after missing the first four weeks through injury, but we have to give him three weeks’ rest [as per the Saru agreement]. We don’t want it piling up at the back end of the season. So the plan is to look at starting his rest this weekend.
“Steven cannot start every game at loosehead. It’s impossible, but we have good backup in Oliver Kebble and Alistair Vermaak.”
Coetzee did not specify if tighthead Frans Malherbe would rest even though he has played for the past five weeks in a row.
The Saru agreement says that players on their list should not play more than five weeks in a row.
Fullback Cheslin Kolbe and centre Damian de Allende have played almost every minute of every game this season, but the coach indicated they would play against the Cheetahs.
“Cheslin is an explosive player and we manage his load in the week,” Coetzee said.
“Damian has no need to rest. We manage him in a similar way to Cheslin. There is a bye in two weeks and they can have a break then.”
Coetzee also reported that wing Dillyn Leyds, who missed last Saturday’s 15-13 win over the Bulls at Newlands, would be considered for selection against the Cheetahs. But the coach praised the efforts of young wings Pat Howard and Johnny Kotze, who were under the microscope against the Bulls.
The Cheetahs, who are languishing in 12th place on the overall standings, remain a tricky opponent.
“It would be a mistake to underestimate the Cheetahs. We’ve played against them enough times to know that we have to be 100% switched on,” Coetzee said.