Koster unleashed on Boland
28 Jan 2009
Nineteen-year old Nick Koster and Tongan Sevens star Alipate Fatafehi will start on the wings when a Stormers side tackle Boland this Saturday.
Both men had precious few opportunities when introduced in the final quarter against Saracens, and so coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to give them a full go in Wellington. Dylan des Fountain is also handed a start alongside Morgan Newman while halfbacks Joe Pietersen and Dewaldt Duvenhage replace Peter Grant and Ricky Januarie.
“We want to give Alipate as much game time as possible and give him an opportunity to get used to our structures,” Erasmus told keo.co.za. “Nick also needs match practice as I believe he can do well at this level.
“We had a look at who is coming back from injury and who needs game time when picking the side. After half-time we should make most of the changes as it will give guys like Bobes and Jean another opportunity ahead of the Sharks game [on 14 February].”
Luke Watson and JD Moller are the only forwards retained after last week’s win against Saracens, with AJ Venter leading the team from the lock position. Pieter Louw and Boetie Brits join Watson in the back row, while George Earle, Deon Fourie and a fit-again Brian Mujati are included in the tight-five.
“We hope Brian will get as much game time as possible, hopefully somewhere between 60 and 80 minutes. George Earle has come though well, and I still think AJ is an excellent player. We also have Hilton and I think we have some great back-up in the second row.
“Pieter Louw has been pushing hard in training, and if there is a serious injury, I have no doubt he’ll step up to the mark.”
Schalk Burger and Conrad Jantjes were not considered because of injury, but should be back for the opening game against the Sharks.
“We’d like to have 30 of our best guys fit for that game, so there’s no point pushing [Burger and Jantjes] now. Schalk had a minor procedure on his ankle where a cut was made and it opened up. He should be ready to play the Sharks.”
Erasmus also confirmed tighthead Brok Harris will only be back for the Stormers’ tour of Australasia, while JC Kritzinger is still undergoing tests. His recovery is expected anytime between seven days and three weeks.
Stormers – 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Nick Koster, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Alipate Fatafehi, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Pieter Louw, 6 Boetie Brits, 5 AJ Venter, 4 George Earle, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 JD Moller.
Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Schalk Ferreira, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Adriaan Fondse, 21 Andries Bekker, 22 Duane Vermeulen, 23 Bolla Conradie, 24 Ricky Januarie, 25 Peter Grant, 26 Jean de Villiers, 27 Gcobani Bobo, 28 Tonderai Chavhanga, 29 Sireli Naqelevuki.
49 Comments
28 Jan 2009, 13:12 pm
Mediocre performing DRAGONS.
28 Jan 2009, 13:14 pm
One would really think that JD Moller and Brian Mujati would be A team players.
28 Jan 2009, 13:16 pm
Lulu in the B team? Daddy and all his political cronies are going to be very annoyed with Rassie.
28 Jan 2009, 13:22 pm
Could this headline be any more misleading?
Should say “Koster cracks B side starting line-up”. That is an entirely different kettle of fish.
28 Jan 2009, 13:26 pm
Who the hell is Boetie Brits…Schalk still injured…probably gonna be started cold come super 14 knowing the way this countries mindset works
28 Jan 2009, 13:27 pm
#4 Yetirat: The sad thing is that he should be on the bench as a looseforward for the A side.
28 Jan 2009, 13:33 pm
#6 Loosehead:
Yup. I see JC has now updated the headline. Haha….good man.
28 Jan 2009, 13:33 pm
#5 Smellthis: Schalk Brits’ little brother
28 Jan 2009, 13:38 pm
Guys , you have to read this one .
The final frontier
28/01/2009 10:55 – (SA)
Brandon Faber, News24 User
Somewhere in a dark room sits the South African Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile. Quietly sipping on the whiskey he got for Christmas he holds a conference call with brother, Mike, and that bastion of sporting knowledge, Butana Komphela.
“I don’t know what to do anymore lads,” he says, staring at the floor. “Nothing we try has worked?nothing!”
With disgust he kicks at a kudu skin and slaps his forehead with a rolled-up copy of The Times.
“The Springboks are still around and winning. The cricket guys are marching to the World number one spot. Even our soccer guys are on an upward curve and, all this, without any help from us whatsoever.”
The realisation of redundancy sets in like a level seven hangover on a scorching hot day – in the Free State – far away from an air-conditioned room and comfort food.
“What if we propose the Netball girls play in traditional Zulu garments?” yelps Butana. “That will keep our names in the news for a little while longer…perhaps we create enough of a stir to be able to stick around after the general elections.”
‘We have to do something’
“What’s the use?” sighs the minister who wanted to rule over all.
“Some lawyers will just again point out that it’s illegal, making us look stupid and out of touch with reality. A chorus of *******-media-men will then wonder publicly what use this office has in a world where professional sport is run by sponsors – and you know what, Butana, we don’t really have an answer, do we?”
“Well we have to do something,” Mike finally decides to contribute to the conversation, albeit only out of self-interest. “I have things to pay you know. If the world of sport doesn’t really need us, where will we go?”
After ten minutes of silence, bar Butana’s heavy breathing and the occasional slurping of whiskey, the minister has an idea. “Hey, what about the newly created South African Space Agency?” he shouts like an excited schoolgirl at a YDE sale. “Surely they can accommodate us!”
“That’s all fine and well Mac, but what do we know about Space?” Mike finally says something that sounds suspiciously like the direct result of a recognisable thought pattern. “I never watched Star Trek.”
“So?” bellows Butana, sensing an opportunity to prolong his political career post April. “We don’t know the first thing about sport, yet I am the head of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee, Mike you nearly became President of SA Rugby and Mac, you are the current minister. Why, we’d be an asset to any space programme!”
“First thing I’d do is get rid of the space suits,” mumbles the minister. “Too white if you know what I mean.”
‘There is hope’
“Damn straight!” gushes Mike.
“Exactly!” comrade Komphela shouts into his government-sponsored Cisco IP phone. “There is hope for us after all gentlemen!”
The conference ends on a high note and Makhenkesi pours a double.
“Ah space,” he says with a satisfied smile. “The final frontier?”
We can only hope.
28 Jan 2009, 13:39 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
28 Jan 2009, 13:47 pm
Thought they would have given Hilton and Bolla a start?
Like the centre partneship and will be interesting to see what the back 3 do. Percy’s experience should be good for Koster, and hopefully the Tongan will get some space. I read something on News24 that he had a trail with Otago and their coach wasn’t awefully flattering with regards to his skill levels… We should be giving local okes a chance anyway, whats Rassies fascination with the Islanders. They are awesome in full flight but a bit lazy round the field. We should be looking for our own home grown Xhosa/Zulu Lomu, there has to be one!
28 Jan 2009, 13:49 pm
Jammer Lobberts kry kans van die begin af nie, die laatie is nog jonk en hoop hy gaan nog groot rugby vir WP speel. Kort net die regte leiding want hy is nog n bietjie wild
28 Jan 2009, 14:02 pm
Where are Myburgh and Hoffman?
Why are Brits and Duvenhage chosen ahead of them?
I hope George Earle is decent.
Would like to see Lobberts get some game time to check how effective he is and whether he can keep his discipline in check.
28 Jan 2009, 14:03 pm
It does seem like both Shimmie and Wylie will be playing Vodacom Cup.
28 Jan 2009, 14:07 pm
No mention of Paul Bosch either.
I think he’s playing for Maties…
28 Jan 2009, 14:14 pm
I think the 30 chosen will be:
1. Moller 2. Brits 3. Mujati 4. Fondse 5. Bekker 6. Burger 7. Vermeulen 8. Watson 9. Januarie 10. Grant 11. Nakelevuki 12. De Villiers 13. Bobo 14. Chavhanga 15. Jantjes 16. Blaauw 17. Fourie 18. Kritzinger 19. Lobberts 20. Venter 21. F Louw 22. P Louw 23. Koster 24. Conradie 25. De Waal 26. Fatafehi 27. Newman 28. Des Fountain 29. Pieterson 30. Montgomery
With these players on stand-by in case of injuries:
Ferreira
Shimange
Harris
Earle
Myburgh
Brits
Melck
Hoffman
Duvenhage
Bosch
Human
28 Jan 2009, 14:23 pm
When you consider that the first-choice back-up locks are probably better than last year’s (Ferreira and Harris), the loosies have a new addition in Vermeulen, Monty will rotate with Jantjes at fullback – it does look stronger.
Except at lock where, last year, The Dentist and Skeate were the back-ups.
Still, if fit, I’m sure AJ will be decent cover. He knows a thing or two about a thing or two…
28 Jan 2009, 14:24 pm
locks = props
28 Jan 2009, 14:24 pm
#16 puff:
Thats a really good team actually. My only concern (as always with the Stormers) is the front row. Are Moller, Brits and Mujati strong enough? Mujati was given a tought time at international level, Brits is at his weakest in the scrum as his strengths are with ball in hand and Moller hasn’t played a lot, although he was developing well in the last S14 before injury ended it for him.
28 Jan 2009, 14:24 pm
I’m blogging with myself here…
28 Jan 2009, 14:25 pm
Mshini
You on?
Help me out…
28 Jan 2009, 14:26 pm
What do you reckon the chances are of Nontshinga actually playing S14?
It seems he could be surplus to the Cheetahs requirements what with Nokwe and Juries on the left wing, and Demas and Jonker on the right.
Plus Wilton Pieterson is set to return from injury sometime during the course of the tournament…
28 Jan 2009, 14:28 pm
Yetirat
Mujati struggled a little at test level last year.
But he was a sensation in the S14, IMO.
The same applies to Schalk Brits – S14 is a competition which suits him.
28 Jan 2009, 14:30 pm
#22 puff:
I’d get Nontshinga on and whip Demas off. He’s was given chances for the Bulls and didn’t impress me at all. Nontshinga still needs a proper opportunity.
28 Jan 2009, 14:36 pm
Pieter Myburg is on loan with Munster
Justin Melck has gone on a week trial with the Saracens team.
Who the f*ck is boetie brits ? I have heard Hofmann is still injured ,nearly ready. but not quite yet…
28 Jan 2009, 14:38 pm
#23 puff:
Mmm…yeah depends on the opposition I suppose but I think the level that S14 is at is probably when Brits sits best.
Front rows are about combinations though which is why there was so much being made about the Sharks front row being the Springbok front row. At the Lions Mujati had Heinke vd Merwe on the other end which would have helped. I do think that Mujati will go well again S14 level providing he is in good condition.
28 Jan 2009, 14:44 pm
Boytjie
Wasn’t it also Melck who was on loan at Munster, and is now trialling with Sarries?
Or did Melck come back from M and then Myburgh went over?
Yetirat
I agree – Nontshinga needs the opportunity.
And he probably would’ve gotten it if he stayed put at the Lions.
Demas TOTALLY failed to impress with the Bulls.
But they’re talking him up big time in Cheetah land…
28 Jan 2009, 14:48 pm
#27 puff:
Yes well Cheetah land is a land of its own and unfortunatelty not one that has ever really managed to get any recognition for S14 performances.
No worries its a long competition and once Naka sees the state of the legendary Demas defence he will have no choice but to give the Nontshinga the chance he probably deserves now.
28 Jan 2009, 14:51 pm
boytjie
Coenie Brits – a youngster along with Blaauw, Kritzinger, Earle, Duvenhage and centres Vermeulen and Bosch whom Rassie believes to be raw talent.
28 Jan 2009, 15:45 pm
We sure are damn lucky to have a guy like koster who we never payed a cent for.
28 Jan 2009, 15:51 pm
ag no man….not another over paid, over hyped useless arse WP guy.
He’ll probably captain the boks.
28 Jan 2009, 15:54 pm
#30 Wezwp: Let’s just make sure we keep him….
28 Jan 2009, 15:57 pm
Not even a mention of the composition of the Boland team – a little “favoritism” pehaps ?? Any idea how many players are contracted to Stormers from Boland for S14 this year?
28 Jan 2009, 16:12 pm
Okay I might just be insanely stupid, but when are we allowed so many subs?
28 Jan 2009, 16:18 pm
Wow! This sight is flooded with wp/stormers support.
28 Jan 2009, 16:22 pm
#35 Wezwp: All they really need is me
28 Jan 2009, 16:23 pm
Boetie Britz is Conraad Britz. Die kort stewige flank met die Stwart hare en blas vel. Hy laat my nogaal aan Heinrigh Brussouw dink. ‘n Goeie fetcher maar ook meer as handige as baldraer.
28 Jan 2009, 16:26 pm
#37 chalvador: is he realted to Schalk?
28 Jan 2009, 16:36 pm
Any news on the sharks keo? They sure keeping themselves low key. They going to be in for a mighty reception at Newlands.
28 Jan 2009, 16:36 pm
#38 SpringbokSarah: Hey Sarah. School boring you yet?
28 Jan 2009, 16:39 pm
#40 Taahirah: Yup
28 Jan 2009, 16:46 pm
#3 Loosehead: He was in the A team too
28 Jan 2009, 16:59 pm
#34 SpringbokSarah: I think the normal rules are relaxed in the spirit of it being a warm-up match Sarah.
28 Jan 2009, 17:02 pm
#43 Taahirah: But he has like 2 teams? Its so silly?!
28 Jan 2009, 17:06 pm
#44 SpringbokSarah: Yep, agree. Have a great night, Im off!
28 Jan 2009, 17:09 pm
#45 Taahirah: bye bye
28 Jan 2009, 18:53 pm
#37 chalvador:
what is a “blas vel” chalvador?
28 Jan 2009, 19:52 pm
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28 Jan 2009, 22:50 pm
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