SA latest – Stormers reinstate Aplon, Duvenage
8 Mar 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises.
Stormers reinstate Aplon, Duvenage – Gio Aplon has replaced Conrad Jantjes while Dewaldt Duvenage is preferred over Ricky Januarie for the Stormers’ match against the Highlanders.
Word from the Stormers’ camp is that Jantjes is battling an Achilles injury, but he may have been dropped regardless. Januarie has been axed following two poor performances against the Lions and Cheetahs.
Stormers – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Jaque Fourie.
Kockott to start for Lions – With Jano Vermaak struggling with a head injury, scrumhalf Rory Kockott is set to get his first start against the Cheetahs this weekend.
Vermaak suffered a blow to the head during the Lions’ defeat to the Blues last weekend and head coach John Mitchell indicated that it’s unlikely he will risk his first-choice No 9 in the starting line-up on Saturday.
This should see Kockott feature in the run-on side. Vermaak is still set to be part of the match 22.
No Brüssow for Cheetahs – Heinrich Brüssow won’t be rushed into making his Super Rugby return for the Cheetahs this weekend.
There were talks of the openside flanker – who recently recovered from a year-long knee injury – featuring against the Lions this weekend, but head coach Naka Drotske has decided he will play his third match for the Vodacom Cup side instead.
Meanwhile, interim skipper and flyhalf Naas Olivier is set to be dropped for the match in Bloemfontein. Sias Ebersohn is expected to start at pivot while centre Andries Strauss and flanker Frans Viljoen are strong candidates to takeover as captain.
Jantjes concern for Stormers – Fullback Conrad Jantjes could miss the Stormers’ clash with the Highlanders this weekend as he struggles with a stiff Achilles.
Jantjes picked up the injury after the win over the Cheetahs last Saturday. This could see Gio Aplon replace the former in the No 15 jumper. However, it was likely that Jantjes would’ve been dropped for this weekend’s clash in any case as he has struggled with form this season.
Tighthead prop Brok Harris (wrist) is also an injury concern and JC Kritzinger has been brought into the training squad as cover.
49 Comments
8 Mar 2011, 08:14 am
ROAR!
8 Mar 2011, 08:19 am
Kockott….The Sharks reject.
8 Mar 2011, 08:20 am
That head injury came at the right time for Vermaak, a quality player he is but he needs time on the bench to regain his hunger and reproduce the form he is capable of, we saw glimpses of it when he scored against the Blues. The competition from Kocky will keep him on his toes too …. nice.
8 Mar 2011, 08:26 am
Vermaak’s delivery to his flyhalf is like watching paint dry. He gives the opposition defenders all day to get into position.
Kockott is a thousand times faster and is unpredictable. He’s in the same league as a Gregan or Kelleher but with no concept of passing. The little prig wants all the glory for himself.
8 Mar 2011, 09:15 am
sorry, but connie is average average average.
8 Mar 2011, 09:19 am
Can only be a major improvement to the Cheetahs game plan, to start with Ebersohn at flyhalf, there is no imagination in there backline play, which is a real pity, when you have guys like Benjamin, Burger, Robert Ebersohn, and even Phillip Snyman on the outside!!
I think all the negatorius’ are only now realising the value of Meyer Bosman. In addition, I think all those always slatng Naka, for “supposedly” rushing Juan back into the game should hang their heads in shame given his handling of Brussow!!
Go Cheetahs!! You guys haven’t played good attacking rugby yet, but you have played with passion, against the more fancied Bulls and sharks anyway!!
Didn’t see the Stormers match, but by all accounts it was a gae to miss!!
8 Mar 2011, 09:28 am
I heard that Ettienne Reynecke is training with the Stormers on loan from Sarries.
Can anyone confirm?
8 Mar 2011, 09:42 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-7: Read yesterday’s SA Latest
8 Mar 2011, 09:45 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-7: That’s awesome news. Also, I would be more worried if Conrad is fit to play. Cronje must start, else Alistair is a dumb prick.
8 Mar 2011, 09:48 am
@Gareth(GarethDuncan)-8: Thanks
8 Mar 2011, 09:50 am
I went to take a look at the Sarries squad. Have you seen how many boneheads are playing there?
8 Mar 2011, 09:54 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-6:
“I think all the negatorius’ are only now realising the value of Meyer Bosman.”
what’s a negatorius Eva? a negative anti cheetah
anyway are you talking the Sias twin to come in and replace your vice captain? will kaka even do that …. good idea but it will not fly.
8 Mar 2011, 09:58 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-4:
Disagree completely, vermaak has actually stood out in that team. Kockottt is great, but honestly vermaak like watching dry paint?? Kockface needs to stay off the pies -he’s been chowing down from the vendor outside ellis where ricky put that guy’s kid through school.
8 Mar 2011, 10:02 am
@garth(garth)-9: keohane is that you? first you called PDivvy the P…k word on your tv show and now you call AC a p…k
nice, I look forward to the Lionel Cronje must start at fullback article and the follow up video punting him for the RWC 15 jersey
8 Mar 2011, 10:17 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-12: Lol, exactly, some people just don’t have it in them to make a positive remark!!
8 Mar 2011, 10:21 am
Keo tv episode #3 … the script.
1: keohane takes position on stage, hiding his bleskop under that Keo cap wearing his favourite brokeback pink shirt.
2: keohane doing his best pastor McCauley impersornation
” I tell you now that Lionel Cronje is the next best thing, only some people can see this but I tell you now the world will soon know what you and I already know, can I get a hell yes”
3: JC, Vrede and the cameraman Gareth D ” hell yes Keo”
4: keohane again
“now let’s go out there and spread the word using all the spin doctoring tricks I have passed onto you … people watching my tv show know this if that second clsss prick (Divvy the first class if you watched episode 2) does not bring in Lionel Cronje now at fullback the world end, blah blah blah, Lionel Cronje big boot blah blah blah”
8 Mar 2011, 10:22 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-4: What rubbish. I can’t imagine that you’ve seen them both play. Vermaak’s service to the flyhalf was light years ahead of Kockott’s, in terms of speed and accuracy. You just plucked a random statement from nowhere and thought it would make you seem informed by writing it here. Well it didn’t. You’d be more believable telling us that Ricky J isn’t utilised enough as a line-out option.
8 Mar 2011, 10:38 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-16:
you seem bitter.
has your tow truck broken down again?
8 Mar 2011, 10:46 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-18: oh look a bully boy … wasn’t expecting to run over by a cow this week … welcome bank my blue fellow.
8 Mar 2011, 10:46 am
Now that is a great choice. Give another dimension to goal kicking as well. He is like a terrier and would do well to start. A pity he didn’t go to the Stormers!!!
8 Mar 2011, 11:14 am
Kockott should take over the place kicking from Jantjies
It would relieve some pressure, just a big wonder why it didn’t happened earlier
8 Mar 2011, 11:16 am
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-10:
They will bring in another hapless ‘Q’, don’t hold your breath
Januarie is still there to impede any progress, rest assured
8 Mar 2011, 11:17 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-21:
I agree, just give him some time to get use to super rugby and the pressure that comes with it.
8 Mar 2011, 11:21 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-21: I would stick with Jantjies as the kicker … he is already an +80% career kicker and even went 30 30 in the CC last year so Mitch is right, throw him in the deep end and make him swim.
8 Mar 2011, 11:23 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-24:
Fine by us.
8 Mar 2011, 11:29 am
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-25:
that 80% average is sliding.
8 Mar 2011, 11:30 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-20: Agree with you Bill. Think with Kockott they have that extra kicker. Probably should have started him against the Stormers.
8 Mar 2011, 11:30 am
Lions will win this weekend, Kockett will make the difference.
8 Mar 2011, 11:33 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-26: I know, that’s why i say fine by us if they want to continue to put pressure on him. Will make it easier for the other teams.
Goal kicking cost the lions 2 games, FACT
8 Mar 2011, 11:33 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-26: sliding up again to his CC levels, who said he could not kick? keohane was it…
8 Mar 2011, 11:53 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-30:
The only sliding jantjies is doing is foefie sliding in his dads back garden.
8 Mar 2011, 11:54 am
Rumors going around that the Force is looking at two SA flyhalf’s not favoured by their franchises at the moment, Sias and Lionel…
8 Mar 2011, 11:57 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32:
the bulls are supposed to be buying lionel.
8 Mar 2011, 11:58 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32: Burton, JLP…..
8 Mar 2011, 12:01 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-34:
No they interested in actual flyhalfs
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-33:
Snooze you lose, all unconfirmed though, but I did wonder why all of a sudden Naka drops his captain, Naas Olivier and selects Sias out of the blue for Saturday…
8 Mar 2011, 12:07 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-35:
8 Mar 2011, 12:08 pm
eish WP make a plan for Lionel, check his contract make sure it is good … then start him at fullback … Jantjes retire buddy, retire.
8 Mar 2011, 15:19 pm
Nice!
How is this Danie Poolman? He hasn’t done much so far.
8 Mar 2011, 16:05 pm
positive changes for Stormers…interesting to see JF on the bench
8 Mar 2011, 16:23 pm
@Francois(frmeyer94)-38:
Stormers have scored 1 try from a driving maul so far.
No wing could have done well for the Stormers in there last 2 games as there has been no ball for them to really play with , the forwads have not laid a good platform for 2nd or 3rd phase ball , Poolman hasn’t had a chance to even run with the ball yet.
8 Mar 2011, 16:39 pm
Much better Stormers team! If Jean will just pass the ball more than once, then Juan and Aplon should be able to do what they do best – score.
Great news about a quicker scrummie.
Come on Stormers! Lets see some 2010 vintage
8 Mar 2011, 16:41 pm
@wp_boytjie(wp_boytjie)-40: Totally agree with you! When has had a touch or had to defend he has looked good.
The Stormers have so far played clueless Bok-style rugby. Especially in the backline – and is it a coincidence that there are so many Boks in that backline?
Its like Basson for Bulls – because of the terrible standard of backline play Basson has had little to work with, he is not suddenly a bad player.
8 Mar 2011, 16:55 pm
JC bravo, you did it and I knew you could. Getting that JW trained poodle AC, to do tricks for you after you sent out the instruction to drop Jantjes and fat Ricky .
Nice, I like … but it will not save your precious brokeback boys from going down to some skirt wearing highlander.
8 Mar 2011, 17:16 pm
lol @ keohane feeling your bone just because Duvenage and Aplon are in.
8 Mar 2011, 18:03 pm
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-24:
Jantjies needs the TV cameras’ to get off his back, at least until his confidence grows, its a combined effect which influence his performance
Let him play free of the burden I say
8 Mar 2011, 18:07 pm
Surprise indeed
So the Stormers benched Januarie, must have taken tons of courage to do so
Rynneke should be on the bench, the Highlanders have a tough front row, saw the guy comming off the bench for Saracin only Saturday, he is not rusted
8 Mar 2011, 18:16 pm
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-42:
Basson is a perennial forward pass exponent, he usually well ahead of the passer and creates an acute angle for the passer, facing the NZ’s man-eaters at a higher speed than he is used at the CC scares him a bit, his defence was anything from shocking to non-existing.
8 Mar 2011, 20:49 pm
Poolman is top notch. One explosive wing or outside center in the Ray Mordt mold, here comes fireworks, Hurdles Van der Heever step aside the real McKoy has entered the Colosseum
Danie Poolman
Date of birth: 10 March 1989
Weight: 92kg
Height: 1.89m
Position: Wing
Same goes for :
Rynhardt Elstadt :
HEIGHT 198 cm : WEIGHT 112 Kg
No.4 or No. 7
Steven Kitshoff
Date of birth: 10 Feb 1992
Weight: 114kg
Height: 1.83m
Position: Loose head prop
Eben Etzebeth
Date of birth: 29 October 1991
Weight: 117kg
Height: 2.01m
Position: Lock
Gary Jacques Van Aswegen
Date of birth: 18th February 1990
Weight: 83kg
Height: 1.76m
Position: Flyhalf
9 Mar 2011, 09:08 am
Well no that the ‘plodders’ have been dropped, lets see how the Stormers perform.
No excuses.
Highlanders scrum to eat them, but Stormers should have enough to take the game from a tired and hung-over Highlander side.
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