Stormers acquire Saracens’ hooker Schalk Brits for their remaining 2011 Super Rugby matches
South African Super Rugby franchise, Stormers, have contracted the services of Saracens’ hooker, Schalk Brits, for the remaining matches of the 2011 Super Rugby Championship. The details of the move are yet to be formally announced by the Stormers, however,
Brits has been seen training with the Stormers squad at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town on Monday, June 27.
Stormers finished second in the combined super xv table with 63 points coming from their 16 round matches and will be hosting the New Zealand conference leaders Crusaders in the second semi-final of the 2011 Super Rugby championship on Saturday, July 2 at
Newlands Stadium.
Brits is believed to have been called in as a replacement for injured forward, Duane Vermeulen. Earlier, Stormers head coach, Allister Coetzee, included the Baby Boks loose forward Siya Kolisi as a replacement for the injured Vermeulen. However, Kolisi
is also reported to be struggling with his own injuries.
Former Springboks international Brits joined the English Premiership side Saracens at the start of the 2009/10 season. He has made 47 domestic and European appearances for the Saracens and has scored 65 points.
Brits had enjoyed a phenomenal 2010/11 season in which he has helped the Saracens lift the 2010/11 Aviva Premiership title. He also won the Man of the Match award following his exceptional performance in the 2010/11 premiership final.
Before joining the Saracens, Brits has played with the Stormers for three Super Rugby seasons. He joined them in 2006, and has made 38 appearances for the Stormers and scored 20 points.
In 2008, Brits was included in the Springboks squad and made his debut against the visiting Azzuri’s side at Cape Town in June 2008. He has represented Springboks in three international tests.
It is also expected that Brits will take the field against the Crusaders in Saturday’s clash. However, the prior approval of South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) rugby might be required before his inclusion in the match 22.
Nonetheless, this is not the first time that the Stormers have acquired the services of a player on loan from Saracens and played him in their Super Rugby match. Earlier in the season, Stormer got hooker Ethienne Reynecke from Saracens as a replacement of
their own injured hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.
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