The full DHL Stormers injury report (16/02/15):
– There are no casualties from the weekend – lock Jean Kleyn is a bit tight from the Bulls game. He was substituted in the 41st minute in order not to over-extend him in his first start of 2015, as was fellow lock Ruan Botha who played until the 49th minute.
– Wing Kobus van Wyk (calf muscle) trained in a controlled environment today. More will be known about his participation on Saturday later in the week (by Thursday).
– Flank Mike Rhodes and backs Dillyn Leyds and Cheslin Kolbe did not take part in training today as part of their management – neither are in any selection doubt for this week.
– Prop Frans Malherbe (ankle) and Siya Kolisi (hamstring) joined full team training on Monday. Their match fitness will dictate whether or not they come into the selection mix against the Blues.
– Locks Eben Etzebeth (chest) and Manuel Carizza (shoulder) are on track to return for the Lions match (February 28 in Johannesburg) and centre/fullback Jaco Taute (knee) is on course to return for the Sharks clash (March 7 in Cape Town).
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH ALLISTER COETZEE:
On the potential return of Springboks (Malherbe and Kolisi):
“It’s a healthy situation for us, but these players need to work hard in order to make the team. First and foremost, however, they need to be 100% physically in a position to produce the good. We know their capabilities, that’s certainly not in question.”
On facing the Blues at DHL Newlands this weekend:
“If you’re arrogant (in this tournament) you will be cut down to size quickly. It’s just one game (that we’ve played)… Just like you cannot be judged on one poor performance you cannot be judged on one good performance. However, what is important is to have belief and to build on that belief.
“We have a good record here (at DHL Newlands) and it is something we would like to keep intact. We have a lot pride when it comes to our home record and we would certainly like to start our home campaign on a good note.”
Sjoe, glad I dont feel like this about my team. Bulls will bounce back, trust me.Hurricanes by 25.
Stormers by 10.
Hopefully the Canes win by 50, actually. Anything to get Ludeke out of there ASAP, and this won't happen while we keep ending in the middle of the table. This year is already a write-off, so might as well lose as many as possible.
Pretoria - Werner Kruger, Arno Botha and William Small-Smith have all been ruled out of Super Rugby action for the next couple of weeks after picking up injuries on the weekend.
Bulls prop Kruger has been ruled out for at least six weeks, if not longer, after he picked up an ankle injury against the Stormers.
Arno Botha, who also left the field on Saturday evening, will be out for two to three weeks with a pectoral injury, team doctor Org Strauss confirmed.
Small-Smith, who played for the Blue Bulls team against Pumas in a warm-up match, injured his ankle and will be out of action for at least two weeks.
Another midfielder, Burger Odendaal (knee) was ruled out for 4-6 weeks.
There is some good news on the propping front, with Dean Greyling training on Thursday and Marcel van der Merwe (knee/hamstring) due to return in two weeks.
Morne Mellett (ribs), Jacques du Plessis (hip), Hanro Liebenberg (back) and Basil Short (eye) will all train on Tuesday, but Akona Ndungane and Travis Ismaiel both trained on Monday and will be considered for Friday's match against the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld
. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (shoulder) will also be rested for a week.
Flip van der Merwe (pectoral, mid-April), Hencus van Wyk (foot, three weeks), Pierre Schoeman (knee, five months) and Bandise Maku (pectoral, four months) have joined Kruger and Odendaal on the long-term injury list.
Cape Town - Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen will play his 100th Super Rugby match when he leads out his team against the Blues at Newlands on Saturday.
It will be Vermeulen's 80th Super Rugby match for the Stormers, having also played 20 times for the Cheetahs between 2007 and 2008.
The 28-year-old Springbok was earlier this year named as Stormers captain for the 2015 season, with regular skipper Jean de Villiers sidelined with a knee injury.
The Stormers on Thursday made just one change to the starting team for their first home match of the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Having opened their campaign with a clinical 29-17 win over the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend, Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee has wisely kept the changes to a minimum.
In an enforced change, however, No 4 lock Jean Kleyn misses out with a calf muscle injury, handing a start to fellow young gun and lock-cum-flank Jurie van Vuuren - after the latter came off the bench at Loftus Versfeld.
In a further change to the 23-man squad that played away last Saturday, fit-again Springbok loose forward Siya Kolisi comes in for Van Vuuren in the No 19 shirt.
Saturday's clash kicks off at 17:05.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Johnny Kotze, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jurie van Vuuren, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Siya Kolisi, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Huw Jones
Blues:
TBA
Hurricanes 17-13 Bulls
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...m-two-in-super-rugby-after-win-over-the-bulls
Over to you, @Blue......
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10959471_1541889772740502_2812182542420765011_n.jpg?oh=d48aafb949e94fed77a7a0a6cf71f340&oe=5551668C&__gda__=1431739868_e59dd495a11036023dc6b6451c11adde
I said it when Boyd was appointed as the Canes coach, they will really push for finals this year. 2/2 in the Republic is massive.
Bulls same old same old
Yeah when he was distracted by his appointment as Canes coach. He had only one eye on the Lions, and the other on prepping for Super Rugby.Can I ask how you came to that assessment?? Boyd sent Wellington to relegation.
I really don't know why the Bulls should suffer this much.Shit Paarl, care to translate?