Saru ruling frustrates Coetzee
28 May 2012
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says he only recently learned of Steven Kitshoff’s unavailability for the crunch match against the Bulls.
Kitshoff, who has started at loosehead prop in all 12 of the Stormers’ matches to date, will link up with the SA U20 side as they prepare for next month’s Junior World Championship.
It was hoped that he would still feature in what is effectively a South African conference title decider this Saturday, but strict regulations have thwarted those plans.
‘It was only made clear last week that Steven would not be available,’ said a glum looking Coetzee. ‘The SA Rugby ruling is that international sevens and U20 games take preference over Super Rugby. It’s never been like that before.’
Coetzee revealed that he had previously struck a deal with SA U20 coach Dawie Theron in an attempt to ensure Kitshoff was correctly managed. It was hoped that Kitshoff would face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this week, and then sit out of the Baby Boks’ first game against Ireland.
However, those plans have been wrecked with Kitshoff declared unavailable for Super Rugby selection.
‘Danie and I had worked out a good plan, we were very excited,’ said Coetzee. ‘It was a plan that could have ensured that everybody benefited.
‘Steven would play the Bulls but sit out of the match against Ireland. If the Baby Boks made the final, then obviously I would reassess how he was used when Super Rugby resumed [on 30 June], I may have had to rest him.
‘It would have been good to see him going up a potential Bok candidate in [Bulls tighthead] Werner Kruger this week. Unfortunately it is not to be. There is nothing I can do.’
Coetzee confirmed that one of Deon Carstens or Wicus Blaauw will fill the void in the front row. Brok Harris won’t be shifted from tighthead to loosehead.
The coach also didn’t find it problematic that neither Carstens nor Blaauw have featured in Super Rugby this season, or that Carstens has been playing tighthead for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup.
‘Deon toured Australasia with us and as a Springbok is a very experienced player. His first position is loosehead. Wicus is also no stranger to Super Rugby, so we are not worried.’
Meanwhile, flank Siya Kolisi is expected to return to the starting line-up having made good progress with his injury. Fullback Joe Pietersen will undergo further tests to his back on Tuesday.
By Jon Cardinelli
155 Comments
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29 May 2012, 03:38 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-150:
Haha!!! Or just out in the open like they do here!!
29 May 2012, 03:44 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-138: it is reflective of the nation. Ha Ha.
29 May 2012, 07:01 am
country first idiot
typical WP attitude
29 May 2012, 07:09 am
Definitely the poodlefucking filth.
29 May 2012, 11:17 am
in an attempt to ensure Kitshoff was correctly managed. It was hoped that Kitshoff would face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this week, and then sit out of the Baby Boks’ first game against Ireland.
Now tell me how in hell that is managing him correctly?? To risk him getting injured in what will be another tough mattch for the Stormers so he misses out on the IRB junior world Champs? A once in a lifetime opportunity. Sit out the match vs Irealnd?
Secondly who is the one who has played him into the ground week after week when he has able replacement like Deon Carstens. Obviously Kitshoff is in the in form prop but its not like he doesnt have options and he could have rotated Kitshoff at various stages to not run him into the ground. He has done the same with Etzebeth, Becker, Kolisi, Vermeulen and arguably Liebenberg and Brok Harris too. Then he wants to talk drivel about managing players? He is ruining perfectly great players by not having options or not wanting to exercise his options. I mean honestly is De Kock Steenkamp that much worse than Becker? I think not. He could have swopped him out as a starting lock for either Etzebeth or Becker a few times with the other on the bench.
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