Taute handed first Stormers run
30 Jan 2013
Jaco Taute will start at fullback when the Stormers tackle the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Taute spent most of 2012 at centre with the Lions and Springboks, but he will start his first game for the Stormers at his preferred position of fullback in the Cape franchise’s opening warm-up clash.
Another loaned Lion in hooker Martin Bezuidenhout also features in the run-on side.
Flyhalf Kurt Coleman gets the No 10 jersey, with Elton Jantjies given compassionate leave following his father’s recent passing and Peter Grant still in Japan. Pivot Gary van Aswegen was left out of the match-day squad as he continues to struggle with injury.
No 8 Duane Vermeulen captains the team.
Stormers – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Don Armand, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Ruan Botha, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Rayn Smid, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Pat Howard, 23 Gerhard van den Heever, 24 Joe Pietersen.
74 Comments
30 Jan 2013, 12:29 pm
RT @keocoza: Taute handed first Stormers run: Jaco Taute will start at fullback when the Stormers tackle the Cheetahs in B… http://t.c …
30 Jan 2013, 12:42 pm
What position do reserve “Rayn Smid” play?
Interesting that Don Armand is playing and not Rhodes?
30 Jan 2013, 12:56 pm
@Jonck-1:
http://sarugby.co.za/playerprofile.aspx?id=45002&category=&leagueid=0
Apparently lock/8thman
Ruan Botha is a big boy:
http://sarugby.co.za/playerprofile.aspx?id=51632&category=&leagueid=0
30 Jan 2013, 12:56 pm
Scrumhalf… Not this again
Rayn Smid is an eighthman. Strong runner with ball in hand.
30 Jan 2013, 12:58 pm
Where is Nick Groome?
30 Jan 2013, 13:00 pm
@Robzim-4:
My guess would be that they will start Groom against Boland, with Duvenhage also on the bench. They will be trying to give everyone some game time, but probably focused on the young players that might have to step up on short notice later.
30 Jan 2013, 13:00 pm
No flyhalf on the bench. They’ll probably move Schreuder there.
30 Jan 2013, 13:02 pm
@wpjoulekkading-5:
I just hope he is not number 3 on the pecking order again, but you are probably right.
30 Jan 2013, 13:12 pm
@Robzim-7: Hey Rob. Been meaning to ask. I assume your name is Robert? And you are from Zim? Interesting, coz there’s someone who called a name which is informal for robert and if i’m not mistaken, has some connections to zim. I hope my inferences are seen as being tongue in cheek.
30 Jan 2013, 13:16 pm
Thanks 2.wpjoulekkading , this Rayn Smid must surely have impressed Alistair if he is prepared to give him a chance! Never heard that he was a standout in the junior games – especially not last year.
I do hope that Carr will have a good game. I feel we need a good fetcher(the best is Deon Fourie, but it sound like he prefer hooker) That said, Duane Vermeulen did a good job in last game versus England in stealing balls. I suppose in combo with Burger and Kolisi each could do a bit.
30 Jan 2013, 13:20 pm
@Jonck-9: Carr isn’t the “fetcher” (hate this term) type of player. Good on defense, but very seldom contests the ball at the breakdown. I’ve mentioned this a few times already, but the stormers don’t need a specialist fetcher, because of their defensive gameplan.
30 Jan 2013, 13:22 pm
@pompies2-8: Or he is a Dylan fan.
30 Jan 2013, 13:22 pm
@pompies2-8:
i am not from Zim. The nick is a reference to my first name (Robin) and to Robert Zimmerman (Bob Dylan) because he is my biggest music “hero”. In retrospect, the nick was perhaps not a good choice .
30 Jan 2013, 13:23 pm
@stormer in a teacup-11:
Indeed
30 Jan 2013, 13:24 pm
@Robzim-12: Nice save. I’m sure i’m not the first to make this inference. I’m sure you don’t mind, do you?
30 Jan 2013, 13:25 pm
@stormer in a teacup-11: hehe
30 Jan 2013, 13:27 pm
@pompies2-14:
You welcome
30 Jan 2013, 13:28 pm
@Robzim-16: why do i have this suspicion that…………
30 Jan 2013, 13:32 pm
@pompies2-17:
hehe…when i saw your nick the first time I was wondering whether you are related to Pompies Wiliams who played no 8 for the WP Federation a long time ago.
30 Jan 2013, 13:37 pm
@Robzim-18: It’s spanish for bu.m. An explanation awaits.
30 Jan 2013, 14:00 pm
@silent_shadow-6: AC confirmed that Schreuder and Duvenhage are the current flyhalf reserve options.
30 Jan 2013, 14:11 pm
Yoh, none of this experimental squad sht for the Stormers. Looks like they’re taking the Cheetahs seriously. I mean, any team that runs the Lions to within 20 points means business…
30 Jan 2013, 14:14 pm
@Robzim-18: Think I might have played against him early in my playing days. Is he the guy from Paarl?
30 Jan 2013, 14:14 pm
@katman-21:
30 Jan 2013, 14:26 pm
@pompies2-22: Yes that’s him! I played against him as well
30 Jan 2013, 14:26 pm
@Robzim-12:
HGzim on the other hand is a fabulous name.
30 Jan 2013, 14:33 pm
@CharlesM-24: I just started playing first team rubgy, straight out of high school and i was schooled on the rugby field again. tough buggers back then. you had to know your place on the field, regardless of your ability.
30 Jan 2013, 14:47 pm
Nice to see Rayn Smid there. Deserves it. He’s going to be a very good number-8 for someone, and was terribly unlucky not to make the SA U-20′s last year. Should definitely have been there ahead of any of Khaya Majola, Braam Steyn & Fabian Booysen.
Hope this doesn’t mean they’re looking at Don Armand ahead of the much more ‘lively’ Michael Rhodes. Armand was a nice fill-in at CC level, but you just don’t see him being able to match-up at Super Rutgby level, whereas Rhodes has that physicality & high tempo to make a definite impact.
Lastly, JP du Plessis will be very disappointed if he’s fallen behind Patrick Howard for the reserve centre role.
30 Jan 2013, 14:52 pm
I really like the look of the Stormers pack. Nice mixture of talented youth and some experience. Another talented proppie or two might be welcome, but maybe they are coming through the age groups.
Didn’t bother with the months, so some of the exact ages are not right, but here is the probable Stormers forwards squad:
Proppies:
Tight heads:
Malherbe 22 (1991)
Harris 28 (1985)
Loose heads:
Kitsoff 21 (1992)
Carstens 34 (1979)
Both sides:
Pat Cilliers 26 (1987)
Hookers:
Ntubeni 22 (1991)
Fourie 27 (1986)
Liebenberg 32 (1981)
Locks:
Botha 21 (1992)
Etzebeth 22 (1991)
Steenkamp 26 (1987)
Bekker 30 (1983)
(Elstadt 24 (1989))
Loosies:
Carr 22 (1991)
Kolisi 22 (1991)
Elstadt 24 (1989)
Armand 25 (1988)
Rhodes 25 (1987)
Vermuelen 27 (1986)
Burger 30 (1983)
left last year
Quin Roux 22 (to return at some point in future?)
Nick Koster 24
30 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
this team should probably beat the Cheetahs.
i dont rate Coleman, maybe he’ll prove me wrong.
please dont play Eben to pieces Allister.
30 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
@wpjoulekkading-28:
Props coming through…
Tshepo Motale – Very highly rated prop from Bishops, but currently still recovering from very serious knee injury. Can he get back to his best?
Oliver Kebble – Is he up to it?
Francois van Wyk – U-21 Forward Player of the Year in 2012 if I remember correctly. Same boat as Kebble perhaps.
30 Jan 2013, 15:31 pm
@hendrikp-30:
Well read up a bit on Kebble, 19-20 years old, 128 kgs!
And I saw a picture of him, he looks like it’s a reasonably fit weight, not the Fat Dunning type.
The thing with proppies is that they need to mature a bit. So even if he is not quite up to it now, that is also ok. You just need the potential to be there. Coenie Oosthuizen was the same way – he had terrible scrum technique when he started (still not the best around, but much better at least). But you could clearly see that there was a lot of potential there.
Kebble clearly falls in the same bracket, at least as far as physique is concerned. For balls skills and size of balls we’ll have to wait and see.
30 Jan 2013, 15:41 pm
@hendrikp-30:
But where are these okes playing? Especially Kebble and van Wyk?
I hope at least in the Vodacom cup!
30 Jan 2013, 15:50 pm
@wpjoulekkading-32: Hmm, I see Oliver Kebble was part of the UCT pack that got pushed around a bit by the Baby Boks last week.
But ok, a scrum is down to a lot more than just one proppie.
30 Jan 2013, 16:02 pm
@wpjoulekkading-33:
He got his head pushed through his arsene wenger for the baby books as well last year.
30 Jan 2013, 16:07 pm
@hendrikp-30: Motale is highly rated by Jacques Hanekom (himself a former prop), the CEO of the WPRI at Stellenbosch. Hanekom will be the forwards’ coach of Maties for this year’s Varsity Cup
30 Jan 2013, 16:12 pm
IMO Francois v Wyk isn’t such a good scrummager. He has a lot of time to develop though, seeing that he played U/21 last season.
I think Kebble has more potential but both should be in th Vodacom Cup squad
30 Jan 2013, 16:16 pm
@stormer in a teacup-11: lol MAN
30 Jan 2013, 16:23 pm
i saw allister say on tv this morning that in these two games he was going to give game time to as many of the group as possible…
so don’t think this means anyone is favoured over anyone just yet…
although it would perhaps make sense that ac uses a stronger team against the cheetahs than against boland…
rayn smit is definitely not too shabby a player… i’ve seen him play number 8 only and thought he would make it through the ranks… but must say never expected it to be so soon with all the talent available in cape town at the moment… good for him… will definitely be a fixture in provincial rugby in south africa in future… if not in cape town then in another franchise…
30 Jan 2013, 16:25 pm
@ryecatcher-37:
hey rye…
how’re you doing bud…? how’s the back…?
when are you moving…?
30 Jan 2013, 16:30 pm
Blah, blah, blah. Stormer Panzees.
30 Jan 2013, 16:33 pm
hi pal.set for 1,st may.keep well
30 Jan 2013, 16:34 pm
@Finfan-40:
cool…
30 Jan 2013, 16:34 pm
@Finfan-40:
Is that short for chimpanzee?
30 Jan 2013, 16:38 pm
@TooMuchRugby-43: Are you accusing me of being racist???
30 Jan 2013, 16:40 pm
@Finfan-44:
Well, its either racist or homophobic. Make your pick.
30 Jan 2013, 16:42 pm
@wpjoulekkading-32:
Kebble & van Wyk were the starting props for the WP U-21 side in 2012.
What part they will play this season I can’t tell you. For the Vodacom Cup, I can see them heading the direction of an Alistair Vermaak as a loosehead perhaps, while they have a few options at tighthead also.
Personally would like to see it used as a development tool of course, but that might come down to their performances in the Varsity Cup. I also understand the argument for choosing what the coach believes to be the best available side to win games with.
30 Jan 2013, 16:54 pm
The Stormers have a decent team again this year. They will do well if their game plan is changed.
Carr should be a regular starter, in my opinion. An excellent prospect – I hope he stays injury free and that he will join the Sharks sooner rather than later.
30 Jan 2013, 16:57 pm
@Finfan-47:
Yes, the Stormers are a fantastic team.
30 Jan 2013, 16:58 pm
@hendrikp: I don’t think JP is “behind” Howard. As far as I know JP is injured – I might be wrong though
30 Jan 2013, 17:00 pm
@Jeraldjay-48: Absolutely incredible, yes.
30 Jan 2013, 17:03 pm
@CharlesM-49:
I see, thanks for that.
30 Jan 2013, 17:04 pm
@Finfan-47:
Will never join the Sharks.
Not while there is a contract for him in the Cape anyway.
30 Jan 2013, 17:04 pm
@Finfan-47:
> The Stormers have a decent team again this year
They have a much stronger team and one year more experienced too
With the new flyhalf they’ll score more tries and should win a home final
30 Jan 2013, 17:10 pm
@victoriabok-53: Agree. Unless if they play the Sharks of course.
30 Jan 2013, 17:10 pm
@Finfan-50:
Will Sadie have a good season in Bloem.
30 Jan 2013, 17:13 pm
@Jeraldjay-55: I always rated Sadie and think he’ll find his feet again in Bloem. Their style will bring the best out of him I think.
30 Jan 2013, 17:51 pm
@Finfan-54:
The Sharks have maybe one or two more years to do it with their current squad. With one or two exception most of their pack is on the wrong side of 25. Which means of course that they are in their prime as forwards for the next couple of years.
30 Jan 2013, 17:55 pm
@wpjoulekkading-57: Ok, maybe I should’ve said 2-3 years. And before someone gets excited, if they get new quality forwards in time of course they can keep their chances high.
30 Jan 2013, 18:12 pm
@Finfan-56:
The Cheetahs have a excellent backline this season.
Pretorius, Goosen, Le Roux, Ebersohn, Sadie, Benjamin and Daniller
Let’s hope they can play this combo for most of the season.
30 Jan 2013, 19:33 pm
@Jeraldjay-59: Yes but a niggle here and a knock there and it will all fall apart, as it must at some stage of the year.
Without proper depth this will always be the Cheetahs biggest problem. Their “fit 15″ will always compete well with everyone, but after that it becomes a problem.
30 Jan 2013, 19:51 pm
@stormersboy-60:
Yes SB, depth was always their downfall.
Even their fully fit loosies and front row are world class, Coenie, Strauss, Brussouw and Smith.
Bok rugby will flourish if the Cheetahs are competitive in Superrugby.
30 Jan 2013, 20:48 pm
@victoriabok-53:
Coming from a Bulls supporter, I’m not sure that is intended as a compliment.
And oh, howzit.
31 Jan 2013, 00:39 am
Ouch… Stormers got some serious depth (other than pivot)…
31 Jan 2013, 01:05 am
Is Bekker injured again?
31 Jan 2013, 03:03 am
@Jeraldjay-59:
Piet van Zyl over Sarel ‘I don’t tackle’ Pretorius thanks.
Raymond Rhule should surely be starting over Rayno Benjamin as well.
I’m a bit concerned about not having a ‘straight runner’ sort in the midfield, but hopefully Ebersohn & Sadie can make it work.
31 Jan 2013, 04:44 am
@hendrikp-65:
Ja but Sarel ‘I don’t tackle’ Pretorius over Uncle Tewis thanks…
Anyway, Cheetahs will be a middle of the table team at best for as long as they persist with Naka.
31 Jan 2013, 06:55 am
Taute’s correct position IMO
31 Jan 2013, 07:32 am
@Finfan-44: How is chi.mp racist? They are a different species.
31 Jan 2013, 07:46 am
@Slartibartfast-66:
Haven’t got any problems with Naka myself. Has made a few mistakes but, when he’s got his best players available, puts teams out there that can beat anyone on their day.
If the Cheetahs were only able to hold onto their players for a few years, rather then turning the page practically every year.
This time they lost: Marcel van der Merwe, WP Nel, Izak van der Westhuizen, George Earl, Ashley Johnson and Sias Ebersohn.
Hell of a lot to lose, and then to think they only really managed to pick up Johann Sadie.
Comes down to money.
31 Jan 2013, 07:57 am
@hendrikp-69:
Nah Hennie, he has hardly progressed the team in the last few years, good value but never better than mid table in a good year. OK maybe I am a little hard on the fellow, at least we don’t get those silly little pods being set up in midfield by the backline anymore…
Anyway, after many years of supporting them I have gone cold on the old excuse of us losing players every year. Why has the Administration not done nything to fix the problem? We had a golden run in the CC winning it for the first time in 29 very long years, we got our own team in the Super comp and yet we only get excuses.
31 Jan 2013, 09:11 am
2013 should be the year WP finally take the U-21 title again also. Main competitor should obviously be the Bulls.
Few players I can think of that will be there:
1 Tshepo Motale / Sti Sithole / Justin Ackerman
2 Stephan Coetzee / Freddie Kirsten / Renier Marais
3 Oliver Kebble / Entienne Swanepoel
4 Gerbrandt Grobler / Jean Kleyn / Lungelo Chonco
5 Ruan Botha / Andrew Becker
6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe / Beyers de Villiers
7 Cobus Nel / Jurie van Vuuren
8 Rayn Smid / Justin Benn
9 Jean Nel / Godlen Masimla / Gerhard Jordaan
10 Dillyn Leyds / Tommy Allan
11 JP Lewis / Devon Williams / Dean Hammond
12 Kobus van Wyk / Johnny Kotze
13 Patrick Howard / Justin Geduld
14 Tshotsho Mbovane / Craig Barry
15 Timo Swiel / Cheslin Kolbe / Janco Gunter
31 Jan 2013, 11:03 am
@hendrikp-71:
Ah forgot Joshua Katzen (UCT openside flanker).
Incredible talent across all the positions, except scrumhalf and maybe prop.
1 Feb 2013, 00:56 am
I think Taute should stay at 15. I can understand Meyer’s rationale of wanting two ball carriers in the centre but the player’s defence at the highest level was terrible and very costly for the Springboks (particularly against NZ).
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