Vermeulen ruled out
25 Jul 2012
The Stormers will field an unchanged back row this Saturday as Duane Vermeulen has not recovered sufficiently from a knee injury.
It was hoped that Vermeulen would be included at No 8, but coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Wednesday that the robust loose forward would not be considered.
‘We’ve adopted a day-by-day approach with regards to Duane, and unfortunately he has not kicked on,’ Coetzee said. ‘We decided that it would be unfair to bring him in at this stage of the season and expect him to play at that intensity. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do.’
This means that Deon Fourie will continue at No 8. Siya Kolisi and and Rynhardt Elstadt have been named on the flanks.
‘Deon has been our man of the match in the past two games. It’s true that he’s a very different player to Duane, but we have coped for most of the season without Duane and feel that Deon can do a job for us this Saturday.
‘It’s a settled back row combo. Siya and Rynhardt have been playing their roles well on the flanks, and we believe that it’s a back row that really suits our strengths.’
Changes to the pack sees Eben Etzebeth returning to the second row. Etzebeth hasn’t played for the Stormers since sustaining an ankle injury in the June Tests.
The only other change to the starting side sees Brok Harris replacing Frans Malherbe. Coetzee said the selection was down to Harris’ experience as well as Malherbe’s value as an impact player.
‘It’s a world-class Sharks pack with a number of internationals. Brok is a seasoned campaigner and has started in semi-finals and finals before. We’re happy with what Frans has done for us when he has started, but believe he can play a stronger role from the bench in this match.’
Stormers – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Carstens, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Don Armand, 20 Louis Schrueder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
By Jon Cardinelli
82 Comments
25 Jul 2012, 12:55 pm
Still a very good team… Youngsters have really stepped up…
25 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
Well that helps the Sharks chances… Or does it?
25 Jul 2012, 12:58 pm
Well done, Coetzee.
25 Jul 2012, 12:59 pm
I think Coetzee realised he will be better suited for next week’s final…
25 Jul 2012, 12:59 pm
@THE MAULER-1: Absolutely.
@Provvas-2: Not really.
25 Jul 2012, 13:01 pm
@Provvas-4: Ja, he is fit enough to watch it from his couch.
25 Jul 2012, 13:05 pm
Oh Dear.
JesusMohammed Vermeulen the RugbyBuddha not playing…
Never fear, Fourie – once, “the 2nd best hooker in SA”, to the rescue at 8.
25 Jul 2012, 13:07 pm
So we have Fourie the HappyHooker vs the Poor Man’s Spies, Kanko at 8….
What a matchup
25 Jul 2012, 13:08 pm
I am relieved, must be honest. The huge risk was NEVER going to worth the limited reward.
Now that this is out of the way pretty early (and not a late Saturday morning decision)everyone can focus on the game at hand.
I will never forget last year’s semi final. There was talk the Thursday and Friday of Dewald Duvenage not playing, speculation and trash talking all round.
One hour before kick off who do I quite literally bump into in his civvies at the stadium: Dewald.
Even he was looking decidely pissed off that he wasn’t going to be allowed to play.
Now that I think of it – last years semi final build up was a feck up of note all round.
Injuries, last minute withdrawals and then the game started and more woe befell us.
No, this will not happen again.
25 Jul 2012, 13:10 pm
Pedigree the Stormers are very settled this year… That’s why they top the log…
25 Jul 2012, 13:11 pm
Did they ever consider Vermuleun in for Saturday?
So, If he was never in, how come he is out?
Some serious flaw in the 3rd world logic
25 Jul 2012, 13:16 pm
@Heavens Game-8: Just in case you missed it Paul..walkonwater, better than Jacque Fourie ever dreamed…Jordaan, is also missing the clash…
25 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm
Still feel the supposed seniors in the Stormers team has not got enough balls to keep the youngsters level headed when it is really going to matter…… might not be this week but for sure next week when his royal fa rt Richie and his merry squad of tur ds come knocking.
25 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm
Carstens the weak link – otherwise as good a team as we have available. Really looking forward to this game.
25 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm
@thesaint-12: They are wailing about it on the semi final thread. Lots of
25 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm
This will make for one happy Dragon
25 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm
Pity to see Quinn Roux miss out.
I would of had him and De Kock on the bench.
If we struggle in the Line outs bring De Kock on
If we struggle in the collisions bring Quinn Roux on
25 Jul 2012, 14:06 pm
Probably for the best.
25 Jul 2012, 14:07 pm
I trust Deon Fourie will have another blinder in the 8 shirt.
25 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@wpstormerbok-19: Agreed, he has something to prove and is at least the one player in the stormers setup capable of stealing plenty ball on the ground. The one player that worries me is Tiaan Liebenberg who tends to lose his head and give away penalties when playing against Bissie (trying to prove he is as physical).
25 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm
@wpstormerbok-19: You don’t really have much of a choice, do you?
25 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@>^..^< katman-21: I suppose the alternative is supporting the Lions and having plenty of weekends free for gerdening this time of the year!
25 Jul 2012, 14:15 pm
@stormer in a teacup-14:
As a former prop, I thought Carstens did quite well when rooimoer wasn’t available
25 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Heavens Game-8: What ? I will be the first to admit that Kanko hasn’t seen form for a long time, but on current form I would choose Kanko over Spies any day of the week.
I think Spies should have been a model for a sports magazine or he should have stayed in the backline. He is not even in the top 10 best loose forwards in the country at the moment. Sad but true.
25 Jul 2012, 14:26 pm
@Mongril-20:
Agree on Liebenberg, he needs to forget about the opposition and do what he does best – run hard and low at the opposition all day.
@>^..^< katman-21:
He’s our best option and did well against the Rebels.
Our loose trio is very well balanced, our 6 tackles like a 7 & can run & pass like a 8, our 7 is our mongrel and our 8 is a speedy ball scavenger
25 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@wpstormerbok-25:
eish boet the Sharks loose trio all have those attributes plus 
25 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@Dusky-24:
Kanko’s had a brilliant month or so, should be 1st pick for Boks on current form but we’ll see whats up soon.
I hope he carries that form to the International season, Boks are in need of a real nr.8
25 Jul 2012, 14:34 pm
@wpstormerbok-27: He has been very inconsistent, but he is returning to the form that brought him fame to begin with. As you say – lets hope he stays there although he is planning a move to Japan apparently.
25 Jul 2012, 14:34 pm
@sharks_lover-26:
No question about that, I’m just saying I have no hang ups about our loose trio.
Stormers did the same thing to the Reds as the Sharks did though, ran at them hard, tackled them pap without even bothering about competing at the ruck.
Don’t think either side will have the luxury of not competing the rucks this weekend as both packs can demolish you straight through the middle if you fan out wide too soon.
25 Jul 2012, 14:36 pm
@wpstormerbok-29: The answer lies in the 2010 Currie Cup final – for both teams
Whoever finds that answer, and executes it correctly will win.
25 Jul 2012, 14:38 pm
@Dusky-28:
Bad timing if HM has ruled out all overseas players, he has a good shot at making the jersey his own with Spies now surely out of favour?
25 Jul 2012, 14:39 pm
@sharks_lover-26: Yes indeed. I’ve tried to tell the Stormer loosies not to even bother pitching on Saturday, but they are saying (and I can understand this) that they don’t want to miss out on the Meyer Boswell and Wilkie circus (They have heard that the whole Sharks team do a pretty good Lion Taming act before the interva, in which the Lion tamers are chowed)
They are happy to be smashed by your far superior Sharks loosies, if that’s the price they have to pay to witness a moment or two of classic slapstick.
I think that is why we Stormer fans are going as well, the circus(as we do realise we have very little chance of causing the upset of the tournament by beating the magnificent Sharks)
25 Jul 2012, 14:40 pm
Interesting matchup this one…
Sharks have edge in front row, Stormers at lock, Sharks in loosies, Stormers in midfield, Sharks out wide.
Stormers edge them in defence, Sharks are dominant in attack.
Sharks have momentum, Stormers are better rested.
25 Jul 2012, 14:41 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-32: Pfffffttt….big game talk ey…..hooo hooo hooo….were you beating on your little pigeon chest while you thought up that post ?
25 Jul 2012, 14:41 pm
@Dusky-30:
Ei let’s rather not go to the 2010 CC Final, different competition, different guy at 10 for Sharks and different guy in the 6 jumper for Stormers, and that was WP
But this Stormers team have no excuses, well rested, previous finals rugby experience and a home final and a piece of silverware beckoning after a moerse drought, what more do they need to win this thing?
25 Jul 2012, 14:44 pm
@wpstormerbok-31: Spies out of favour ? Buddy, Spies will never be out of favour with Heyneke. Spies was born into the Loftus family in the Bulls golden era, around the time Heyneke was the daddy. You will never see a Bok teamsheet without the name ‘Pierre Spies’ on it if he is available for selection.
Pierre Spies’s ouma probably baked koeksusters and hertzog koekies for Heyneke……delivered fresh with a quote from the bible to his office every morning.
We are stuck with Spies.
25 Jul 2012, 14:46 pm
@wpstormerbok-35: No man – that’s not what I am saying. We are at almost exactly the same place. Different venue this time. But WP could very possibly learn something about how the Sharks played that game…..that’s all I am saying.
I dont know dude – I asked the same question about the Sharks lots of times between 1996 and 2008.
25 Jul 2012, 14:46 pm
@Dusky-36:
If that’s the case Heyneke will have his head on plate before his 2 year contract ends.
25 Jul 2012, 14:46 pm
@wpstormerbok-29: No agreed mate i was just teasin a bit, The loose trio has been very good for you guys so far, only against the Saders and Sharks 2nd match did they struggle
25 Jul 2012, 14:48 pm
I think its a strong Stormers side, they been playing welL all season, just a shame for them that the Sharks will be the team to show them how to score try’s.
25 Jul 2012, 14:49 pm
@wpstormerbok-38: Yep…but like a moth to a flame – it will be irresistible to him. The fact that Wynand Olivier and Zane Kirchner made the team should be an indicator to you.
Lean times for the Stormers as far as Springboks is concerned, and probably over time just as lean for the Sharks. Meyer has already shown that he does not like Lambie. Probably because he knows the threat Lambie poses to his favorite child, Mornetjie Steyn.
25 Jul 2012, 14:51 pm
@Dusky-34: Yes I was, and I cracked my sternum in the process. It sucks being pigeon chested.
25 Jul 2012, 14:51 pm
@Treehugger-40: HIyas boomninny
, we will do well to beat the Stormers, they are sitting pretty and we will have to play way above ourselves to win this one
If we dont good luck to them,Hope they can then carry the SA flag in the Final
25 Jul 2012, 14:54 pm
@Dusky-37:
I hear you, problem is we haven’t seen the Stormers play the type of ball in hand game this year’s competition.
But we do have the ability to score break out tries or collect points from scraps of possession.
One thing teams need to do vs Stormers is take the 3 points even it if appears a try is on for all money, if we keep you from our tryline we become even more hardegat
25 Jul 2012, 14:55 pm
‘Pierre Spies’s ouma probably baked koeksusters and hertzog koekies for Heyneke……delivered fresh with a quote from the bible to his office every morning.’
Thats just faktap.
25 Jul 2012, 14:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-42: Thought so – sounded like you were having a little chest thumping session. Not uncommon to Stormers fans see….especially when they are so nervous they are making 15 trips to the toilet per day.
25 Jul 2012, 14:56 pm
@Dusky-41:
I was all over the threads when Heyneke’s 1st group was announced.
Eventually I made peace with it and I trust he’ll hand will be forced if he keeps selecting mediocre players and results go against the Boks.
25 Jul 2012, 14:57 pm
@wpstormerbok-44: I think the Stormers will have to score tries this weekend…..penalties is not going to be enough.
25 Jul 2012, 15:00 pm
@wpstormerbok-47: I think you’ll be surprised once your injury list is a thing of the past. It is plain to see HM goes for size any day of the week. Vermeulen for instance will get his shot.
25 Jul 2012, 15:00 pm
There’s no underdog in this matchup.
The better team on the day will take it.
25 Jul 2012, 15:02 pm
@Dusky-48:
We’re capable of scoring the odd 1 when it’s needed.
It’s a clash of styles and I believe ours is more suited to knockout rugby.
25 Jul 2012, 15:05 pm
@wpstormerbok-47: Coach that have picked Springbok teams with obvious bias or favoritism have expedited their exits, and their exits have never been pretty.
If Heyneke has just a spot more than rugby going on in his brain, he will be aware of that.
Best he show that he is able to make difficult decision, and make some definitive moves on some of his altar boys.
25 Jul 2012, 15:05 pm
@wpstormerbok-51: Well, I can’t necessarily disagree. Good luck !
25 Jul 2012, 15:05 pm
@Dusky-52: *Coaches
25 Jul 2012, 15:10 pm
@wpstormerbok-51: if the sharks come out blazing and score four tries then your team’ll be fooked, that said, it’s easier said than done against what ryan vrede would call “granitic” defence.
25 Jul 2012, 15:13 pm
@Transformation-55: Nooooo….serious ? Geez dude….are you a member of MENSA ?
25 Jul 2012, 15:16 pm
@Transformation-55: Thsi hard to call Transie, and it feel winning to colussion points and keep ball in hand is extremely important.
I know some might complain about Bosman, and as you know i aint his biggest fan, but just maybe come saturday we are gonna need his boot, his kicking at goal has been very good, when he did kick and as you know Freddy does not kick far, he is the same as PG in that regard
25 Jul 2012, 15:20 pm
@Dusky-56: relaxx dusky, everyone knows you’re in the room, don’t try so hard…
@sharks_lover-57: just yanking the dude’s chain sl.
25 Jul 2012, 15:25 pm
@Transformation-58:
which of these two teams is closer to your heart?
come on, put yourself out there, transie
show us your soft side
25 Jul 2012, 15:27 pm
@Transformation-55:
If they come out throwing it around a bit they’ll play right into our hands.
For Sharks to beat us they’ll have to pin us back and beat us up front.
They’ll have to earn the right to go wide first as they won’t be able to muscle their way over our defenders in the wider channels, they’ll get shut down and robbed.
25 Jul 2012, 15:37 pm
@Transformation-58: Do you think if the Sharks start off by scoring 5 tries in the first two minutes that they will take an advantage into the rest of the game ? I am interested to hear your intellectual input.
25 Jul 2012, 15:37 pm
@wpstormerbok-60: Sharks are going to come playing open rugby from the beginning. Its been their recipe for success in the past in knockout rugby.
25 Jul 2012, 15:39 pm
@wait for it, wait for it…-59: the Kings
25 Jul 2012, 15:42 pm
@Transformation-63: Really ? Excellent !!!
Where is that Rosso Negro guy ?
25 Jul 2012, 15:48 pm
@Transformation-63:
yeah sure but the kings are not playing.
of these two teams you gotta choose one, come on
25 Jul 2012, 15:49 pm
@Dusky-64: why would you ask me about another guy?
25 Jul 2012, 15:52 pm
@wait for it, wait for it…-65:
They’re playing 1st div currie cup on Saturday.
Credit where it’s due.
25 Jul 2012, 15:56 pm
@Transformation-66: Isn’t he also a supporter of the kings ? You two must be the only ones in the world – although people from that region change their allegiances depending who is winning – so, it might work out. For the first 3 games the kings will have a couple of people watching.
25 Jul 2012, 15:56 pm
CC 1st Division = land of the blind
25 Jul 2012, 15:59 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-67:
hehehe
fair do
they’re got the swagger for super rugby though
25 Jul 2012, 16:00 pm
@wait for it, wait for it…-65: eish it’s a hard one, i don’t like both.
25 Jul 2012, 16:02 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-67:@the artist formerly known as gunther-67: and we’re no.1 boytjie. captain luke came back with a brace of tries
25 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@>^..^< katman-69: where the lions belong…
25 Jul 2012, 16:06 pm
@Transformation-72:
Indeed.
I believe he’s dropped a shirt size too?
25 Jul 2012, 16:07 pm
@Transformation-72: Thats like being the sub A marble champion……whoopee
25 Jul 2012, 16:09 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-74: Nou lyk hy seker eers soos n donnerse broodrolletjie met n rekkie om
25 Jul 2012, 16:13 pm
@Transformation-71:
hehehe
its like those either or questions you have to answer as kids.
which would you rather do:
lick a hobo’s buttcrack or suck and swallow rian cruywagen’s *****
you gotta choose one whats it gonna be?
25 Jul 2012, 16:13 pm
@Transformation-73: I know Butterworth only got DSTV in June, but I assumed you would have heard that the Lions are in fact the Currie Cup champs. And the champs very seldom get relegated.
25 Jul 2012, 16:21 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunthe@the artist formerly known as gunther-74: he had “shoulder trouble” and had to dispense of the underarm watermelons
25 Jul 2012, 16:24 pm
@Transformation-79:
Indeed.
Downgraded to avocados.
I think he is a secret wrestling fan.
25 Jul 2012, 16:56 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-80:
lol
26 Jul 2012, 00:45 am
I think by default when you can find a way to get into a condom-tight rugby jersey you must be a good fetcher.
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