Vermeulen leads Stormers against Sharks Thursday 29 May 2014 The Stormers have named Duane Vermeulen to captain their team for this weekends Super Rugby match against the Sharks in Durban. Vermeulen will lead the team from his regular No.8 position in the absence of Schalk Burger who has not recovered from the knock to his neck which he sustained in last weekends 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 starting in the No.7 shirt 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 is back in the mix for the first time since mid-April. Both Carizza and Catrakilis have been named on the bench, where they will be joined by debutant loosehead prop Sti Sithole, who replaces Oli Kebble. Kebble has been ruled out of action for at least eight weeks with an ankle (syndesmosis) injury, handing Sithole (an SA Under-20 starting player last year) a great opportunity to stake his Super Rugby claim. Unfortunately Oli has joined our long injury list and he will miss the remainder of the 2014 Super Rugby season, said coach Allister Coetzee. Its a blow for us, and the player himself, but at least weve 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. Its been a tough week, with many of our players being in Durban and some injury worries with Schalk and Oli, but weve been able to name a team ahead of the weekend. Its a young team, but its a side with plenty of enthusiasm and attitude. The Sharks are not the current Super Rugby log-leaders for nothing, added Coetzee. Theyve 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. Theyre 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. Stormers 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 (c) , 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 Stormers) , 18. Martin Dreyer , 19. Jean Kleyn , 20. Manuel Carizza , 21. Dylon Frylinck , 22. Demetri Catrakilis , 23. Peter Grant
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 16:27:31 +0000
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