Schalk Burger replaced by Jean de Villiers as captain of Stormers - Super Rugby update
Stormers have taken a major blow as Schalk Burger, the squads skipper skipper has been sidelined due to a knee injury. The leadership role will be taken over by Jean de Villiers. In the absence of Burger, Villiers will take on the Cheetahs as a skipper on
Sunday at Newlands in a Super Rugby clash.
Schalk Burger is a 28-year-old South African rugby union player, who plays as a flanker for his international side, Springboks. He is sometimes referred to as Schalk Burger Junior because his father was also named Schalk Burger and played in the 1980’s for
South Africa. Schalk Burger Jr has been capped for Stormers in 47 clashes and has scored a crucial 20 points for his side. He has been playing for Stormers since 2004 and has been a backbone of the team whenever he showed up on the field. His injury is a major
setback for the Stormers.
Another blow to Stormers is the knee injury of centre Jaque Foruie. Fourie is under the supervision of medical staff. This has left Allister Coetzee in an uncomfortable position and he has to count on his back up options.
Coetzee said, “It’s important how we manage our players, and that’s been a consideration when we decided that Fourie will sit out for one week.”
Coetzee believes that a practical approach towards the side selection and hard training will bring out good results and will pay for the damage. Other than the two injury enforced changes, the only other alteration is the dropping of Gary van Aswegen to
the bench, while Peter Grant takes on as a fly half in the starting lineup.
Allister Coetzee commented on Van Aswegen’s recent performances and the current development and said, “We are very content with his game play but this contest is about building thrust. We have a responsibility to make sure that young players get plenty time
to play so that they are match ready when they are called up.”
Allister Coetzee didn’t make many changes but gave Aswegen a chance to prove himself. Stormers have a good reputation of making successful young players and this development can turn out to be another example if Aswegen gives it his best.
Coetzee said, “Our system is transparent, so it depends on the young players how rapidly they can adapt and settle down when they are called upon.”
Stormers squad for Cheetah’s clash:
15 Conrad Jantjes; 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie and 1 CJ Van de Linde.
Replacements:
16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 21 Gary van Aswegen 22 Paul Bosch.
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