Several first choice players return for Stormers for weekend clash against Sharks
Stormers are coming from the last week’s BYE as they take on the Sharks at Newlands Rugby Stadium on Saturday April 30, 2011.
Before the last week’s BYE Stormers have played consecutive eight games in the Super XV. Stormers have played eight matches in the Super XV and lost once. Currently Stormers are at the third place in the combined Super XV table with 37 points and are the
only South African Conference team in top six of Super Rugby 2011 championship.
Stormers won six consecutive games before conceding the game to the Reds at Newlands during the round eight of the Super XV. Stormers won their last game against the Lions 33 – 19 before going for the BYE.
Stormers will be playing against the Sharks for the second time in the Super XV during the round 07 of the Super Rugby. Stormers end victorious after a fierce battle on the rugby field with final scorecard reading 16 – 6.
Two Weeks Off provided Stormers injured players with enough time to recover from their minor injuries and provided fit players with a time off to refresh and reenergize themselves for the remaining matches.
Allister Coetzee has made for changes for their upcoming clash on the weekends. Coetzee is aware of the fact that the Stormers need to be on their toes to beat the Sharks who are a formidable unit. Coetzee also has to ensure that the team maintains the momentum
as very often the teams coming off the break failed to switch on in their next match.
While announcing the team Coetzee made four changes to the team, which took field against the Lions. Stormers are still waiting on the recovery of their first choice Fly Half Peter Grant who sustained knee injury in their match against the Reds.
Grant’s initial replacement, Gary van Aswegen sustained a knee injury in their game against the Lions. Injury has forced Gary van Aswegen out of the action for four weeks. In their absence, Stormers coach has included Lionel Cronje in the match 22 alongside
Peter Grant while the final decision regarding the Grant recovery from the fitness is expected on Friday.
Lock Rynhardt Elstadt after recovering from his leg injury will take the field during the weekend in the forwards. De Kock Steenkamp moves to bench as Rynhardt Elstadt takes the field. Bryan Habana returns on the wing after recovering from the shoulder injury,
which he has sustained in their match against the Reds.
Gio Aplon shifts to the right wing position as Danie Poolman fails to retain position in match’s 22. Stormers Captain, Jean de Villiers returns at centre in place of Juan de Jongh While Conrad Jantjes strong performance against the Lions has helped him to
retain his place at fullback.
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