Same again for Stormers
3 May 2006
Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe has named an unchanged team for their Vodacom Super 14 match against the Sharks in Durban.
The Cape franchise are full of confidence after their shock win against the Crusaders last weekend, and have predictably kept faith with that side.
While the Sharks will be favourites going into the game, their recent record against Cape sides is poor. The Stormers beat the Sharks 26-12 in the Super 12 last year, with Western Province beating the Sharks 47-19 at Newlands and 45-21 at King’s Park in their two Currie Cup matches.
Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant, who went to Maritzburg College and played for Natal Schools, says he is looking forward to testing himself against Percy Montgomery.
“I played against Monty in the Currie Cup and had good games, not missing too many kicks,” Grant told the Cape Argus. “At least we know what to expect at King’s Park on Saturday. It’s a little sandy underfoot and you have to be choosy about what boots to wear. And the wind swirls in the bowl-like stadium.
“Even as a schoolboy I remember watching how much the ball moves in the air. That means when you kick for touch, you need to know what to expect,” he said.
Stormers team to play Sharks:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Rayno Benjamin, 13. Marius Joubert, 12. De Wet Barry (c), 11. Jean de Villiers, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Neil de Kock, 8. Joe van Niekerk, 7 Schalk Burger, 6. Luke Watson, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Ross Skeate, 3. Eddie Andrews, 2. Schalk Brits, 1. JD Moller
Subs: 16. Hanyani Shimange, 17. Neil Fullard, 18. Gerrie Britz, 19. Adri Badenhorst, 20. Bolla Conradie, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Chumani Booi
59 Comments
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3 May 2006, 16:52 pm
I’d certainly have him in the squad if for no other reason than to learn a little and get a taste of the big time. Let him play the odd 15 minutes here and there against Scotland and France maybe and gradually develop him.
3 May 2006, 16:59 pm
Cab
I rate the guy as a future Bok but feel that to play 9 at test level needs a bit more experience than he’s had yet. 9 is pivotal and the pressure in internationals enormous. The position requires more than a kicking ability and a good pass. Let him get to know how to handle different situations under pressure first and this can only come with experience.
If you think about it, no 9 is the one place where there’s nowhere to hide and you can’t be protected by an older player if things go wrong.
3 May 2006, 17:08 pm
parhaps David, anyway FdP seems to inspire the most confidence in the solidity you describe.
just think our squad could take the next level up if by introducing a couple of gamebreakers. Brits and Pienaar would not hurt. Get them in this year and they’ll be experienced for 2007, personal choice tho.
3 May 2006, 17:18 pm
The other point is that we have the WC next year and Jake needs the time to bed his squad down. This is the serious one and he knows it. He needs battle hardened men who trust each other by playing together.
I know he said there’ll be a few surprises but I don’t think there’ll be any young bolters. BJ is most probably one because we don’t have any specialist no 3s.
The rumour that Boome is coming back tells me that Jake and Mallet have had a few words as well. The same with Snyman and Sowerby.
I think, when he goes to the WC he wants to take a side full of experienced and proven players and he’s got just over a year to do it.
3 May 2006, 17:33 pm
ya, cant wait to see JW’s squad, he marches to his own drum and often throws in some real clangers.
3 May 2006, 17:34 pm
Ruan should be FDP’s backup the way Bolla is Januaries.
The 2 pairs of scrummies offer different game plans and styles.
Januarie, although off form has delivered the best performances by any bok scrummie in the last 2 years. Although it is getting very hard to ignore FDPs recent form. He was dismal at the beginning of the season, but must be favorite to start for the boks. Its a pity him and Jaco wont get a chance to play 9/10 for the Bulls the way AP and Januarie are at the cats.
3 May 2006, 17:45 pm
Cab
The one thing we know for certain is that we’ll all reckon the man’s chosen a couple of total plonkers.
The Bulls fans will claim Jake’s in WPs pocket.
The Sharks will claim that all 15 should come from Durban.
The Cats will be grateful that Jake even knew they had rugby players.
Tackler and Onlooker (who I wish would just do that) will scream “quotas”.
And the Cheetahs supporters will be secretly hoping that Jake ***** up so that Rassie can take over as coach.
3 May 2006, 21:30 pm
Olli reminds me of ME when i was young LMFAO.
Thank god im now a better looking version of Carlos Spenser ha ha.
Sharks will win this one easily Bring the Stormers back down to Earth Before they get another 60 put on them by the Bulls.
3 May 2006, 21:53 pm
no:55 He has done well within the confinds and constraints of this new nation, but I still think that he is a twat. Shut up and coach dammit!!!!
You got to wonder if there is any collusion with Jake and all these guys coming back from Europe. Don’t think that he needs to pick any youngsters, in certain positions the cup runneth over in others we need a team that reflects the diversity of the nation, so in between that will be the squad.
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