SA Conferense and Derbies

[PaarlBok]

This weekend we have a double header derby on Newlands between Stormers vs Lions and WP vs Golden Lions Vodacum Cup. Should be interesting to see the depth of both teams. Brutes will have to travel to Tin Ear Land. The Osfonteiners will be eager to get their two Bokke (Juan and Brussouw) into this one.

 

[Hartman]

This weekend we have a double header derby on Newlands between Stormers vs Lions and WP vs Golden Lions Vodacum Cup. Should be interesting to see the depth of both teams. Brutes will have to travel to Tin Ear Land. The Osfonteiners will be eager to get their two Bokke (Juan and Brussouw) into this one.

Brussow back?!?!?! Jeez I'm excited.

 

[PaarlBok]

Brussow back?!?!?! Jeez I'm excited.

He'll first come through some Vodacom Cup rugby. Strauss now out for six weeks with a broken hand (he played through the pain against the Sharks). Brutes Gary Botha also out for a couple of weeks

Sport24

Capt headache for Cheetahs
2011-02-22 07:38Email | Print

Naka Drotské (Gallo Images)


Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské may be forced to pick a captain that has not led the team before due to injuries.

Hooker Adriaan Strauss, who led the side against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, has broken his hand and is not available for Friday’s Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Vodacom Park.

Drotské confirmed that the Springbok hooker would undergo surgery on Monday and be out of action for at least six weeks.

To make things worse for the Cheetahs, Juan Smith could not train on Monday.

The Springbok flank had earlier been named Cheetahs captain for the season, but had to miss the Sharks game with an injured calf.

Drotské is confident that the Springbok flank can recover in time, but won’t take any risks with Smith in World Cup year.

“Adriaan’s injury is a big setback,” said Drotské.

Rayno Barnes will play hooker in his absence, with Skipper Badenhorst on the substitutes bench.

“We’ll keep a close watch on the hooker situation as a promising hooker like PW van Vuuren recently underwent a neck operation,” said Drotské.

The Bulls also have problems at hooker, with former Springbok Gary Botha struggling with a shoulder injury. If he does not recover in time, Chiliboy Ralepelle will be in the run-on side against the Cheetahs.

With regards to the captaincy, Drotské said: “We trust that Juan will recover in time and will only make a call on who should take over (the captaincy) if he cannot play. We have good leaders in the side.”

“Naas Olivier, for example, has showed as Griquas captain that he can do the job. Andries Strauss is an equally strong leader and then there is someone like Frans Viljoen.”

The Cheetahs coach believes in his captain leading from the front and that is why he is considering Strauss, Viljoen and Olivier.

Springbok No 8 Ashley Johnson is also a strong leader, but first has to establish himself in the starting line-up.

Bok flank Heinrich Brüssow is another contender for the captaincy, but will first play for the Free State Vodacom Cup team on Friday night in his return from a knee injury.

He will be cut loose for about 40 minutes against the Falcons and could be considered for the Cheetahs again next week.

Last year Drostké was able to call on the seasoned Hendro Scholtz in the absence of Adriaan Strauss and Smith.

However, Scholtz decided to continue his rugby career at French club side Agen after last year’s Currie Cup

Meanwhile it look like the Stormers will push that youngsters through the system. Poolman will probably start, Muskiet still not ready after his knee cut.

Stormers to run with rookies
2011-02-22 07:38Email | Print

Allister Coetzee (Gallo)


Stephen Nell

Cape Town – The Stormers could call on six newcomers in their bid to give the Lions six of the best at Newlands on Saturday.

Coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that Gio Aplon would not be available this week. That may well mean that exciting youngster Danie Poolman is picked on the right wing.

“Gio will not be considered this week. He still needs a few days to recover,” said Coetzee.

Aplon recently went for a scope on his right knee. Poolman may now get the chance to build on last year’s good form for the Western Province under-21 side at a higher level.

The other option, of course, would be to pick one of the Stormers’ three world class centres as a wing. However, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and Juan de Jongh have all made it clear that they would like to be considered as centres.

Fourie has recovered fully from his injured toe and is ready for the Lions.

Peter Grant will also link up with the Stormers in training on Tuesday and Coetzee will then decide whether he is prepared to let him start or whether he would rather give Gary van Aswegen a Super Rugby debut.

“There won’t be a problem with Peter’s match-fitness. He followed our conditioning programme,” Coetzee said of the flyhalf that still played for the Kobelco Steelers in Japan on Saturday.

Van Aswegen has been with the Stormers for the entire pre-season and if there is any doubt over Grant’s ability to slot in so soon, the younger man may well get his break.
It also looks as if Rynhardt Elstadt will partner Andries Bekker at lock, while CJ van der Linde is set to be picked as loosehead prop.

The Stormers’ front-row cover on the bench could be provided by Steven Kitshoff and Siyabonga Ntubeni. They recently celebrated their 19th and 20th birthdays respectively.

All the newcomers were involved in the Stormers’ pre-season matches, but the intensity and tempo is bound to be much higher against the Lions.

The presence of a handful of bright youngsters in the Stormers squad may well have a refreshing effect on the side. It also shows that form is rewarded and that there is a route for players through the age groups.

Van der Linde was brought in from the outside to provide valuable experience in the front row. The Springbok front-ranker may also be shifted to tighthead prop during the game.

Coetzee is announcing his side on Wednesday, but it appears odds-on that the cream of the Cape’s young talent may well get a look-in.

“The young players are commanding respect among the seniors. They are earning respect through their work ethic and enthusiasm. We are satisfied with their development, but the next step is for them to get game time,” said Coetzee.

The Stormers coach is set to rotate De Villiers, Fourie and De Jongh in midfield this year. It appears as if De Villiers and Fourie will play against the Lions, with De Jongh set to be on the bench.

 

[PaarlBok]

Tin Ears vs Brutes will be a big one in Osfontein. Tin Ears will still be hurt after their lost in the Shark Tank and the Brutes will just up their play where they left Eillspark. Juan Smith is critical for the Tin Ears.

Teams:
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Juan Smith (c)/Philip van der Walt, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Derick Kuun, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.

 

[PaarlBok]

Lions vs. Stormers: Jaco Taute; Lionel Mapoe, Waylon Murray, Doppies la Grange, Michael Killian; Elton Jantjies, Jano Vermaak; Warren Whiteley, Josh Strauss, Derick Minnie, Franco van der Merwe ©, George Earle, Pat Cilliers, Bandise Maku, JC van Rensburg. Reserwes: Martin Bezuidenhout, Kevin Buys, Wikus van Heerden, Baywatch Grobbelaar, Rory Kockott, Burton Francis, James Kamana

Stormers vs. Lions: Conrad Jantjes; Danie Poolman, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Gary van Aswegen, Ricky Januarie; Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger ©, Rynhardt Elstadt, Brock Harris, Deon Fourie, CJ van der Linde. Reserwes: Siyabonga Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, De Kock Steenkamp, Pieter Louw, Dewaldt Duvenage, Peter Grant, Juan de Jongh.

Coetzee surprisingly starting with three youngsters plus two on the bench. Going to be a tough one but like we say Swim Jannie Swim! Stormers will be a bit more rusted but have the trust in their defensive structure and striking power at the back plus the Newlands faithfull behind them and they can produce some meracle. Going to be tough against a newborne Lion team, tail in the air after their performance against the Brutes.

 

[REDinCPT]

Gary van Aswegen

who?
can this guy play?
i'm surprised they are not rushing grant back into the side, not that i rate him but he probably knows everyone's name.

 

[PaarlBok]

who?
can this guy play?
i'm surprised they are not rushing grant back into the side, not that i rate him but he probably knows everyone's name.

van Aswegen was the top point scorer in U21 CC 2010. Obvious very young for SA standards, old enough for Aus standards. Grant as you can see still need a few braai tjops and sunshine before he is ready.

 

[PaarlBok]

Stormers vs Tin Ears on Newlands. Both Juan and Schalkie out with injuries. Aplon and Brussouw on the comeback trail. Brussouw played last week his first match and will repeat it but in Vodacom rugby

Sport24

The Cheetahs will not field Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow against the Stormers in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash in Cape Town on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 17:05.

Brüssow made his return from a knee injury for Free State’s Vodacom Cup team against the Falcons last Friday. The Cheetahs won 55-19.

Brüssow only played for 40 minutes after being on the sidelines for almost a year.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské said that Brüssow would run out again for Free State Cheetahs in their Vodacom Cup match against the Pumas on Saturday and is expected to be available for Super Rugby the following weekend when the Cheetahs host the Lions in Bloemfontein

 

[PaarlBok]

Stormers vs. Cheetahs: Conrad Jantjes; Danie Poolman, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers ©, Bryan Habana; Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie; Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Pieter Louw, Andries Bekker, Rynhardt Elstadt, Brock Harris, Deon Fourie, CJ van der Linde. Reserwes: Siyabonga Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Koster, Dewaldt Duvenage, Gary van Aswegen, Paul Bosch.

(Jac Fourie, Schalk Burger, Tiaan Liebenberg, Anton van Zyl and Gio Aplon out with injuries)

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier (c), 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Waltie Vermeulen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Philip van der Walt, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

(Juan Smith out for the season, Heinrich Brussouw will play his second Vodacom match this weekend and will probably start next weekend in Super Rugby)

 

[REDinCPT]

(Jac Fourie, Schalk Burger, Tiaan Liebenberg, Anton van Zyl and Gio Aplon out with injuries)

ag nee, that's on hell of an injury list. if you could sacrifice ricky januarie for one of them, which one would it be? i think they lose a lot without liebenberg.

 

[PaarlBok]

ag nee, that's on hell of an injury list. if you could sacrifice ricky januarie for one of them, which one would it be? i think they lose a lot without liebenberg.

See they got Ettas Reyneke from Sarries. Good player this. Aplon, Jac Fourie will be back this week.

Derby this weekend is the cat fight between Tin Ears and Lions in Osfontein.

Tin Ears
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss (k), 11. Rayno Benjamin, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip van der Walt, 6. Frans Viljoen, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Martin Muller, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Francois Uys, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Philip Burger

Finally they got rid of Olivier and start with both Ebersohn twins, Viljoen in 15.

South African Conference
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Sharks 3 3 0 0 89 33 56 9 0 1 13
2 DHL Stormers 2 2 0 0 40 31 9 1 2 0 12
3 Vodacom Bulls 3 2 0 1 77 78 -1 8 10 1 9
4 Lions 3 0 0 3 68 84 -16 9 8 3 3
5 Toyota Cheetahs 3 0 0 3 47 70 -23 3 5 2 2

Combined Log
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Sharks 3 3 0 0 89 33 56 9 0 1 13
2 Highlanders 3 3 0 0 72 50 22 7 4 1 13
3 DHL Stormers 2 2 0 0 40 31 9 1 2 0 12
4 Waratahs 3 2 0 1 91 39 52 14 3 2 10
5 Vodacom Bulls 3 2 0 1 77 78 -1 8 10 1 9
6 Blues 3 2 0 1 77 80 -3 8 8 1 9
7 Reds 3 2 0 1 58 75 -17 3 9 0 8
8 Crusaders 3 1 1 1 55 42 13 5 6 1 7
9 Brumbies 3 1 0 2 77 76 1 9 5 3 7
10 Chiefs 3 1 0 2 71 61 10 8 6 1 5
11 Western Force 2 0 0 2 32 60 -28 1 7 1 5
12 Melbourne Rebels 3 1 0 2 35 105 -70 2 13 0 4
13 Hurricanes 2 0 1 1 9 14 -5 0 1 1 3
14 Lions 3 0 0 3 68 84 -16 9 8 3 3
15 Toyota Cheetahs 3 0 0 3 47 70 -23 3 5 2 2

 

[REDinCPT]

Tin Ears
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss (k), 11. Rayno Benjamin, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip van der Walt, 6. Frans Viljoen, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Martin Muller, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Francois Uys, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Philip Burger

i'm a little confused, wasn't olivier their captain? i missed the stormers v cheetahs game last weekend, did he really play that poorly? and where is brussouw? surely they can't be playing him in the vodacom cup again this weekend? i would have thought after a 2 games back he would have at least been eased back into super from the bench.

 

[Moses]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...match-with-lions/story-e6frf4qu-1226018808561

Springboks flanker Heinrich Brussow will return to top-class competition after a lengthy injury absence when he plays for the Cheetahs against the Lions in Super Rugby this weekend.

After shooting to prominence in a victorious Test series against the British and Irish Lions in mid-2009, the breakaway missed all of South Africa’s Tests last year after torn knee ligaments required two operations.

He returns to the struggling Cheetahs after extensive rehabilitation and several outings for the Free State provincial team in a second-tier domestic competition.

Coach and former Springboks hooker Naka Drotske will welcome back the 24-year-old after losing hooker Adriaan Strauss and flanker Juan Smith to injury just three rounds into the competition.

Traditional strugglers Cheetahs have lost away to the Sharks and Stormers and at home to defending champions the Bulls, while the Lions have also suffered three consecutive defeats.

 

[PaarlBok]

i'm a little confused, wasn't olivier their captain? i missed the stormers v cheetahs game last weekend, did he really play that poorly? and where is brussouw? surely they can't be playing him in the vodacom cup again this weekend? i would have thought after a 2 games back he would have at least been eased back into super from the bench.

Olivier was the captain but his form specially his amount of kicking isd costing the Tin Ears. Myself would love to see a bit of Riaan Viljoen in 10 and their usually attacking rugby. Pretty sure there is no need to rush Brussouw back into S15 rugby, he'll be playing as soon as they feel he is ready for this level. We dont want to see another Juan chapter from Naka.

 

[PaarlBok]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...match-with-lions/story-e6frf4qu-1226018808561

Oeps see now the correct team
Cheetahs:


15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss (captain), 11. Ryno Benjamin, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip van der Walt, 6. Heinrich Brüssow, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Martin Muller, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Kabamba Floors, 19. Francois Uys, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Fabian Juries

 

[PaarlBok]

Did not watch much rugby this weekend, only the Stormers vs Highlanders second half, not even Spiers Moyo's food could not stop me. The Stormers havent lost against a Kiwi side since May 2nd , 2009. Surely this have to be a SupeRugby record and showed exactly why on friday. You need a 80 minutes second to none defensive effort to do it. I am not worried about the attacking , not scoring tries, the Highlanders was in excellent form and I'll take a 18-6 scoreline anyday iso a 35-28 loss like the Brutes did to lose their record home streak. Thought the Louws has been excellent, our scrumming was great and our defensive effort simply awesome. Only Habana jumping out of the defensive line at times but it was like a brick wall knocking them back, they look like dont want to receive ball towards the end.

Congrats to the Lions to break their record losing streak. We'll see this weekend against the Force what this will mean to them.

This week we (Stormers) have Everest to climb , never get them bigger for any SA team, north vs south, Brutes vs Stormers, Blue vs PB, biggest rivalry in SA rugby. Them Brutes will be hungry after the loss and a week rest, the only SA derby match of the weekend, unbelievable.

 

[PaarlBok]

Brutes - Kirchner - van den Heever, Pretorius, Olivier, Basson - Steyn, du Preez - Potgieter, Spies, Stegmann - Matfield (C), B.Botha - Kruger, Ralepelle, Steenkamp

Replacements : G.Botha, de Klerk, van der Merwe, Rossouw, Kuün, Hougaard, Brummer


Stormers – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Subs: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Juan de Jongh.

 

[Hawko]

It hasn't had much attention on the forum but the first of the two Bulls-Stormers games has huge implications for the whole comp. If either team won both games they would be in a great position to take first or second overall, which is what you need to win. You have to do well in other games of course and the Bulls loss to the Clan doesn't help them, but this game will be absolutely crucial and I don't think that will be lost on the two teams. I am expecting a titanic struggle and am eagerly looking forward to analysing the game for both strengths and weaknesses.

The recorder is all lined up ready to go.

 

[Blue]

This is going to be nasty. Both teams have sucked and need to put down a marker.

There could be some casualties.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

will look forward to the breakdown contst more than the kicking contest. Bulls by 7, their one try being the difference between 2 scores otherwise divisible by 3