RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
Only made this because of the Bulls transfers - Losing all our players? Screw it, let's get all the Kings players.
All three matches will be played away from home, in Polokwane (v Bulls) and Port Elizabeth (v Kings), with the venue for the third friendly, against Boland, yet to be confirmed. Boland, as the hosts, will decide on the kick-off time and venue at a later stage.
DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told http://www.thestormers.com: “The three friendlies will test us – all in a different way – and allow us to work on a few things ahead of our first Super Rugby game (against the Lions) on Saturday, February 22.
“Three fixtures are more than enough and will give us plenty of time to test things in a game situation and we’re more than happy to move straight from our friendlies into our first competitive match of the 2014 season.”
The Stormers management team will head back to work on Wednesday, November 20, with the players assembling on Monday, November 25 as preparations in Cape Town are officially set to commence ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season.
The pre-season squad will have a break over the Festive Season, their last day of training will be on Friday, December 20, before they reconvene on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. A squad of players will also travel to Hermanus later in January for the annual DHL Stormers pre-season camp.
“We will announce our initial pre-season training squad later this week, but we will, as always, invite a few younger players – from this year’s successful Under-21 group and next year’s WP Rugby Institute intake – to join our (pre-season) preparations,” Coetzee explained further.
“Springbok touring squad members like Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Siya Kolisi, Louis Schreuder and Gio Aplon will miss the first week of pre-season training, but will join us from week two onwards, but others like Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen and Jean de Villiers will rejoin us in January only – along with (Argentine lock) Manuel Carizza.”
When asked about the rest of his squad, and any other potential new faces, Coetzee added: “We could still make one or two final signings which we hope to finalise in the next few weeks.
“We are looking for a wing to replace Bryan Habana and Gerhard van den Heever, and are surveying all our options, but I can say that we will not be signing Cooper Vuna.
“As we always do, we will announce any signings we make once they have been confirmed by both parties.”
THE DHL STORMERS’ 2014 PRE-SEASON FIXTURES:
Saturday, February 1:
Bulls v DHL Stormers, Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 17h00
Saturday, February 8:
Southern Kings v DHL Stormers, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth) – 19h00
Saturday, February 15:
Boland v DHL Stormers, venue and kick-off time TBC
Jake: Sharks will win S15
2013-11-22 14:00
Durban - Sharks Director of Rugby, Jake White, has outlined his plans for the Sharks ahead of next year’s Super Rugby competition, reports Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick.
“I have told them they are going to win Super Rugby,” he admitted in a clear message of what he wants to accomplish at the Sharks. He did qualify this by saying that without a dream, they could never achieve greatness.
“If they don’t believe it then it is not going to happen.”
He also pointed out that while he took over a Springbok side that hadn’t featured in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and made them champions in 2007, and then took a young, inexperienced Brumbies side to the final this year, the Sharks are a team that was successful in the Currie Cup this year and has the makings of a winning team.
“The realistic thing is though, I may have taken over a great franchise, but they came eighth in the Super Rugby tournament this year and came fourth out of five South African franchises.”
White’s goal is to turn potential into purposeful ambition and the only way they will achieve that is through hard work.
“All it is, is head-down-bum-up, hard work. That was the motto we had at the Brumbies and that is all any loyal supporter wants to see. If we work hard, put the hours in, prepare, and do whatever we can to the best we can, then the success will come.
“That is all I’ve said to these boys: let’s just make sure that we work harder than everyone else.”
And if the players are expected to work hard, the coaching staff will lead by example too. They’re all in this together, according to White.
“I must say this first week has been hectic,” he explained. “I get here early at 7 in the morning and leave at 6 at night. That’s just because there such a lot of stuff to do. I probably haven’t settled like I’d like to yet, but when you start in a new environment you’ve got to make sure everything is in place. But I’m just really chuffed to be here, it’s great to be back in South Africa, and I’m excited to be at the Sharks and what is possible here.”
The Sharks players not on Springbok duty returned on Monday for the Super Rugby pre-season following a three week break after the Currie Cup under the guidance of the coaching structure, outlined by White.
“Paul Anthony is the forwards coach, Brad Macleod-Henderson will be the technical analyst who will also work with players on individual skills and breakdown work, looking after those specialised areas. Sean Everitt will take the backs and I’ll head up the defence, but I’ll have consultants that will work with us on all areas of our game.
“I will try get a couple of guys that I respect as coaches to come in and up-skill some of our coaches in some of the areas that I think we need to be up-skilled in, whether we get a kicking, a lineout or scrum guy. It just helps in terms of the personal development of the coaches we have here.”
And do the Sharks have the team to accomplish their goal? He certainly believes so.
“I’m very happy with the squad. Everyone in the world would like to have stronger squads, but, in saying that, the talent here is phenomenal and I can compare apples with apples. Comparing a side like the Brumbies who came second this year, to a franchise like the Sharks; there is unbelievable talent here. From 19 year olds right up to Springboks.”
Brutes Kamp Staaldraad type away jerseys.
I am not sure, most Japanese Saffer players do return for S15. Brussouw and Grant will return. your tag worked in my alerts.@PaarlBok
What's the mail on Wimpie Van Der Walt? Will we see him back in Super rugby after his stint in Japan?
P.S Why can't i tag anyone lately
Brutes Kamp Staaldraad type away jerseys.
You can't be more wrong.PaarlBok what do the Bulls fans make of these crazy away jerseys over recent years? Are they annoyed at the move away from traditional colours or do they embrace them? I just can't imagine the country boer farmer types liking change.
Pretty much this.You can't be more wrong.
The manufacturers could not keep up with pink jerseys last year.
It will be more of the same.
In fact wearing camo is close to any boer's heart. It will go with the rest of their outfit
The will change it every year from now and and fans will expect it.
WP confirm Etzebeth blow
2013-11-28 15:30
Cape Town - WP Rugby have confirmed that Springbok and Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth will undergo surgery on Monday, December 2 after sustaining a serious foot injury during the Springboks' Test against France last weekend.
According to a statement released by WP Rugby, the specialist's assessment is that Etzebeth will be out of action for a minimum of 16 to 18 weeks.
"It's very unfortunate to again start a new Super Rugby season without Eben Etzebeth," Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee told WP's official website.
"However, it opens up an opportunity for other players to step up and take the gap in Eben's absence.
"De Kock Steenkamp, Rynhardt Elstadt and Michael Rhodes have plenty of Super Rugby experience already, whilst our younger training squad members like Tazz Fuzani, Ruan Botha and Jean Kleyn will have to step up," added Coetzee.
"Unfortunately, a young player like Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle) will still be out of action for some time (yet), but, of course, we have signed a Test lock with plenty of experience in the form of Manuel Carizza, who will arrive here in January 2014."
Etzebeth, 22, has made 21 Super Rugby appearances for the DHL Stormers since his debut in 2012, as well as winning six caps for WP.
He has also played 23 Tests for the Springboks since 2012.