Stormers must do without their kingpin
THE Stormers will take the field against the Waratahs this weekend without captain Jean de Villiers, who has been ruled out of the clash due to injury.
Last week De Villiers confirmed that he had been playing with a “niggle” and the decision to leave him out is a prudent one in the long-term.
He is suffering from a meniscal cyst. It’s rare for De Villiers to miss Stormers games, having played 35 of their past 39 matches.
The Stormers are on a run of four consecutive losses and have only recorded one win in six matches this season.
Juan de Jongh will partner Damian de Allende in the midfield, with bruising number eight Duane Vermeulen taking up the captaincy in a team that shows four changes to the one that lost 22-17 to the Reds last week.
Kobus van Wyk will take De Allende’s place on the right-wing, with Jaco Taute starting at fullback in place of the injured Gio Aplon and Michael van der Spuy moving onto the bench, having last featured against the Lions in February.
Upfront, meanwhile, the fit-again Ruan Botha, who had an ankle injury, takes the place of Jurie van Vuuren at lock in the only change to the pack this week, with Tazz Fuzani (on the bench) the only uncapped member of the 23.
The Stormers have a bye following this game. De Villiers, along with prop Pat Cilliers, wingfullback Cheslin Kolbe and flank Schalk Burger should all be ready for selection in two weeks.
“This game is vital to gain some momentum at home,” said Coetzee.
“We have a proud Super Rugby record at Newlands – we’ve won 34 of our last 40 here.
“Winning is obviously important, but to do that we have to stick to our processes to get the result.
“But there is no doubt that if we want to turn our season around we have to win this weekend.”
The Stormers team is: Jaco Taute; Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Sailosi Tagicakibau; Peter Grant, Louis Schreuder; Duane Vermeulen (capt), Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff.
Reserves: Stephan Coetzee, Oliver Kebble, Brok Harris, Mthetheleli Fuzani, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Michael van der Spuy.