Taute signs with Stormers

Taute signs with Stormers

24 Oct 2012

Lions utility back Jaco Taute has signed a loan deal with the Stormers, but he also has the option of making a permanent move.

Taute has been linked to a season-long stint with the Cape franchise over the past two weeks, and the deal was finally signed on Tuesday afternoon.

The 21-year-old said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

‘I’m very excited,’ Taute told keo.co.za. ‘The Stormers have been a world-class team in recent seasons and I hope to make a valuable contribution next year.’

The deal should see the player return to the Lions in time for their Super Rugby promotion-relegation match against the last-placed South African team.

However, Taute revealed he could decide to extend his stay in Cape Town.

‘My contract with the Lions expires next season,’ said Taute. ‘So I could stay on with the Stormers if I wanted to. But we will see how things go in 2013.

‘I want to be part of a title-contending side. The Stormers have qualified for the play-offs over the past three years, and I want the opportunity to play in those big games. That’s what all players dream about, and I’m no different.’

When asked where he thinks he would feature in the Stormers line-up, Taute believed fullback would be the ideal position. He has been selected at centre for the Lions and Springboks in recent months, but the Stormers squad already has Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Marcel Brache and JP du Plessis in their midfield department.

‘I will play at centre or at fullback, but also I want to play where I’ll get a decent amount of game time,’ said Taute. ‘That would probably be fullback. I don’t mind because I’ve played there since I was a schoolboy, so I’m very comfortable in that position. I only started playing centre for the Lions because of their injury situation.’

Meanwhile, there is still no confirmation on Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies’ loan deal with the Stormers.

The 22-year-old is expected to follow Taute to the Cape franchise, but head coach Allister Coetzee said the player is yet to put pen to paper.

According to Lions president Kevin de Klerk: ‘Elton is still exploring his other options’.

Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant believes Jantjies will be a major addition to the team.

‘Elton has been producing some great performances at a high level,’ Grant told this site. ‘He is young and has progressed really well over the last few seasons. His style of play will definitely suit that of the Stormers.

‘He’s now had some valuable time with the Springboks, which will also boost his confidence.’

Grant, who’s currently playing for Japanese club Kobe Steelers, will join the Stormers for Super Rugby duty in February (the final fixture on the Japanese club calendar is the knockout final on 23 February).

With Grant’s club commitments, Demetri Catrakilis’ departure to the Southern Kings and other flyhalf injuries, Jantjies is likely to be handed a starting berth if he joins the Stormers next year.

By Gareth Duncan


59 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  • 1.coma: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 06:52 am

    No Comments Dragons!!!

  • 2.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 06:58 am

    Wise man! A good move too…

  • 3.mamma_lou: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 07:05 am

    i don’t think taute or jantjies are going back to the lions except for relegation playoffs(if that happens)

  • 4.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 07:33 am

    At school Taute supported Province… now he gets to play for them. Good luck and don’t Foff overseas after two years like the others.

  • 5.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 07:47 am

    Play him at 15 AC….

  • 6.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 07:48 am

    Welcome Jaco hope you enjoy your stay in CT…for the next few years.

  • 7.BULLET: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 07:59 am

    Stormers should benefit nicely from the Lions/Kings fiasco.
    This will somehow strengthen the top 3 unions in Superrugby, and probably weaken the other 2.

  • 8.lucky: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:00 am

    With this amalgamation between the stormers and lions think a name change is in order, how about the Thundercats! Thundercats looking very strong for next year.

  • 9.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:01 am

    Like Grant10 said, play him at 15.

    But Jantjies’ signature is the 1 we should be chasing hard, keeping fingers crossed that we can bring him to Newlands!

  • 10.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:03 am

    @lucky-8:

    LOL :) !

    Or how about the Sharks and their Free State links, Die MielieHaaie

  • 11.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:12 am

    @grant10-5:
    huh..?
    has the love gone cold for joe :shock:

  • 12.papaown: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:12 am

    interesting

  • 13.jacoshark: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:47 am

    taute is overrated.
    jantjies is the signing the stormers need to secure.

  • 14.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 08:53 am

    Great news. He will add more attacking options to the Stormers which was sorely missed last season. He can also provide decent cover at wing and centre. Jantjies we need to.

    With Joe Pietersen on the bench we have very good cover for most positions.

  • 15.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:02 am

    “I only started playing centre for the Lions because of their injury situation.”

    and our brilliant Springbok coach overlooked Juan de Jongh for this bloke :roll:

  • 16.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:03 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-11: Joe is good if you want to play a safe, kicking game. I think AC has seen the light and will play a more balanced game.

  • 17.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:03 am

    @Sasuke-14: joe is going to sulk, watch this space!

  • 18.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:03 am

    @Transformation-15: :lol:

  • 19.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:06 am

    Stormers team for 2013

    1. Kitshoff
    2. Liebenberg
    3. Cilliers
    4. Etzebeth
    5. Bekker
    6. Kolisi
    7. Burger
    8. Vermeulen

    9. Dewaldt (AC will stick with him)
    10. Jantjies
    11. Habana
    12. JDV
    13. JdJ
    14. Aplon
    15. Taute

    16. Ntubeni
    17. Brok
    18. Elstadt
    19. Rhodes
    20. Schreuder
    21. Grant
    22. Joe Pietersen

  • 20.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:19 am

    @wpstormerbok-10: I think we can just call them the Cheetahs Old Boys. :smile:

  • 21.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:44 am

    So whats latest news on the lions’ challenge? Who’s sponsoring it, teams etc? Chappies Bubblegum could get naming rights I think.

  • 22.David: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:48 am

    @Transformation-15:
    Well, anything Jake can do (Jaques), HM can do as well. :lol:

  • 23.David: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 09:54 am

    @Slappes-21:
    Apparently they’ve lined up a few European and US clubs as well as a couple of national sides. I didn’t even realize that the Faroe Isles had a rugby team.

  • 24.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 10:18 am

    @Sasuke-16:
    ok
    so more broken field attack from the stormers then.

  • 25.seamus: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 10:27 am

    @Sasuke-19:

    As much as I hate to say it, that is a good side… possibly a championship winning side.

    But I guess the Bulls are also chasing Elton’s signature quite aggressively, tho. He is a Pretoria boy, after all.

  • 26.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 10:30 am

    @seamus-25: Graaf-Reinet?

  • 27.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 10:49 am

    Welcome JT & thanx again for that punt straight into touch Saturday that really proved your loyalty.

  • 28.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 11:00 am

    @AssassinWP-27: :lol:

  • 29.XV: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 11:27 am

    @Transformation-15: and that is why I am not sure whether HM is the man for the job. Taute with a bit more experience is our version of Israel Dagg. However if he becomes a utility player he will end up in the same boat as Hougaard and Pienaar.

  • 30.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:07 pm

    Meyer will request he starts at 13

  • 31.willievz: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:10 pm

    @jacoshark-13: Agree on Taute.

    @Big Hit-30: I think he is a better 13 than 15, but is not ready for test rugby whatsoever.

    De Jong is the 13 for the best defensive unit in Super Rugby, yet he is considered a weak defender by many. What bollocks.

  • 32.willievz: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:12 pm

    @XV-29: No, Andries Coetzee is our version of Israel Dagg.

    I posted yesterday that I believe Coetzee is a better 15 than Taute.

    Faster, smoother runner, better support runner, attacks the close spaces with greater aplomb, better under the high ball, offers a left boot, and has excellent decision-making skills (used to be a 10).

    Taute only trumps Coetzee with long-range goal kicking and strength.

  • 33.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm

    @willievz-31:

    Agreed with you on De Jongh, but we’ve said that before.

  • 34.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm

    Letting Francois Louw go was one of the biggest mistakes Stormers made. We need him back I think he is truly a world class openside. With Schalk always struggling with injuries and Siya still inexperienced I would love to see Flo back at 6 with Schalk and Kolisi rotating at 7.

    If the Stormers get Jantjes the only thing they will be missing is Flo and a world class scrum half. These are our weakest positions. Since the De Kock/Conradie era we have not had a decent scrum half apart from Januarie in 08 maybe. Schroeder & Groom look exciting but what if we could bring Pienaar or Claassens to Stormers? That would be great.

    One positive Stormers fans and staff should take is that we finished top of the SA log with hardly any key players and an injury depleted team. This year we have cover all over the park and competition for places will be high, well done A.C

    My Stormers team for next season:

    15 Jaco Taute 14 Gio Aplon 13 Juan De Jongh 12 Jean de Villiers 11 Bryan Habana 10 Elton Jantjes 9 Nic Groom 8 Duane Vermeulen 7 Schalk Burger 6 Siya Kolisi 5 Andries Bekker 4 Eben Etzebeth 3 Pat Cilliers 2 Tiaan Liebenberg 1 Steven Kitshoff

    16 Deon Fourie
    17 Francois Malherbe
    18 Ruan Botha
    19 Nizaam Carr
    20 Louis Schroeder
    21 Peter Grant
    22 Gerhard Van Den Heever

    23 Scarra Ntubeni 24 Deon Carstens 25 Rynhardt Elstadt 26 Michael Rhodes 27 Dewaldt Duvenhage 28 JP Du Plessis 29 Marcel Brache 30 Joe Pietersen

  • 35.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:21 pm

    Would like to think Taute will play 15 for Stormers and Boks. He is not a better 13 than De Jongh.

    Boks backline:

    15 Taute
    14 Pietersen
    13 de Villiers / De Jongh
    12 Steyn
    11 Habana
    10 Lambie
    9 Pienaar / Hougi

  • 36.willievz: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:22 pm

    @Rhys7-34: Flo has never played openside for the Stormers before.

  • 37.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm

    Well he could. He was still playing that role just with the wrong number shirt and from the wrong side of the scrum. Stop being so picky.

  • 38.willievz: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:27 pm

    @Rhys7-37: Will Schalk allow someone else playing in the 6 berth?

  • 39.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:29 pm

    @Rhys7-34: Deon Fourie is leaving at the end of the currie cup.

    Ruan Botha over Elstadt and Rhodes. Mmmm

  • 40.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 12:30 pm

    @willievz-36: He played like an openside.

    @willievz-38: He allowed Brussouw to play there.

    Schalk is more of a 7 than 6.

  • 41.capebull: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm

    Taute like JJ is no 13 , they both don’t like to tackle,

    taute has twice now made huge errors in vital games , test and cc semis

    Every one thinks every one can be a good 13…

  • 42.capebull: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:22 pm

    To all the Spies haters he turned down R 15m /3 years, to stay at Bulls next 3 years.

    Vermeulen – slowponey beware…

  • 43.capebull: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:24 pm

    @willievz-38: Schalla has never been an openside fetcher , he will still wear the 6 jersey , but like always plaing like a 7.

  • 44.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:28 pm

    @capebull-41:
    took the words out of my mouth.

  • 45.UK Bok: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:38 pm

    @capebull-42: Spies knows that he will be exposed as the biggest showpony in the business if he had to move. He would rather play in protected, blue-tinted environment that is Loftus. If you haven’t noticed Spies’ lack of heart then you are just as brainwashed as the other Bulls supporters.

  • 46.capebull: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 13:49 pm

    @UK Bok-45: I have been waiting for an idiot comment like this.

    A French club offered Spies R 15m he turned down , in order to pay someone that salary , you have to be worth something , unless you are earning a lot more…

  • 47.mabu: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 14:59 pm

    Gio Aplon, is at 15 this weekend

  • 48.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 15:10 pm

    Is something wrong with Jantjies? ;)
    WP/Stormers are evidently dragging their feet regarding the ‘Relegator’, maybe he (or his Dad for that matter) is asking for too little pay?
    :-D

  • 49.husky: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 15:41 pm

    @UK Bok #45; of course you know waaaaay more than the Frogs that are putting down the R15m!! Yeah right; just another blowhard.

  • 50.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Oct 2012, 15:51 pm

    Welcome to the Stormers,Taute.

    Just make sure that you know when to kick the ball out directly. Last week’s little glitch is forgiven :lol: but don’t do it when you have the Stormers jersey on, OK? :lol:

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