Vermeulen in the lead for Durban Duane Vermeulen will captain the DHL Stormers in Saturdays all-South African Vodacom Super Rugby encounter against the Sharks in Durban (kick-off 19h10). Vermeulen will lead the team from the No.8 position in the absence of Schalk Burger who has not recovered from the knock to his neck which he sustained in last weekend’s emphatic 33-0 win over the Cheetahs. In other changes from last week, Sailosi Tagicakibau will start in the No.11 jersey, with Siya Kolisi coming off the bench in the absence of Burger. Cheslin Kolbe, meanwhile, shifts across to the No.14 jersey in place of Kobus van Wyk who is out of action for three weeks with a wrist injury. Argentine lock Manuel Carizza returns to the fray for the first time since the end of February, having recovered from a wrist injury, whilst flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis returns to the mix for the first time since July. Both Carizza and Catrakilis have been named on the bench, where they will be joined by debutant prop Sti Sithole, who replaces Oli Kebble. Kebble has been ruled out of action for at least eight weeks with an ankle (syndesmosis) injury. DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told iamastormer: “Unfortunately Oli has joined our long injury list and he will miss the remainder of the 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby season. “It’s a blow for us, and the player himself, but at least we’ve been able to welcome back Manuel and Demetri and, of course, Sti is on the verge of his making his debut at this level which is always an exciting moment for any young player. “It’s been a tough week, with many of our players being in Durban and some injury worries with Schalk and Oli, but we’ve been able to name a team ahead of the weekend. It’s a young team, but it’s a team with plenty of enthusiasm. “The Sharks are not the current Vodacom Super Rugby log-leaders for nothing,” added Coetzee. “They’ve grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed and their win over the Crusaders in Christchurch says a lot about their character and state of mind. “They’re a physical side who are strong at the breakdown and who boast a good kicking game. This is, without doubt, our biggest challenge of the year.” The DHL Stormers team for Saturday (v the Sharks) is as follows: 15. Jaco Taute 14. Cheslin Kolbe 13. Juan de Jongh 12. Damian de Allende 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau 10. Kurt Coleman 9. Nic Groom 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain) 7. Siya Kolisi 6. Nizaam Carr 5. Ruan Botha 4. Michael Rhodes 3. Pat Cilliers 2. Deon Fourie 1. Alistair Vermaak Replacements: 16. Stephan Coetzee 17. Sti Sithole (On Super Rugby debut for the DHL Stormers) 18. Martin Dreyer 19. Jean Kleyn 20. Manuel Carizza 21. Dylon Frylinck 22. Demetri Catrakilis 23. Peter Grant Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 08:47:00 +0000
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