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du Toit brothers to start for Stormers as Bulls make one change
Both the Stormers and the Bulls have kept changes to a minimum ahead of their massive South African derby in Cape Town this weekend.
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The Bulls have received a timely boost ahead of their visit with World Cup-winning Springbok Trevor Nyakane named to start alongside fellow Bok prop Lizo Gqoboka in the Bulls in the front row.
Nyakane’s selection is the only change to the starting team, with Wiehahn Herbst shifting to the bench.
Fellow prop Gerhard Steenekamp is set to make his Super Rugby debut if he comes on as a replacement.
Bulls coach Pote Human has opted for a five-forward-three-backs split amongst the replacements, which makes room for utility back Divan Rossouw.
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The Stormers, meanwhile, have made just two changes to their starting side – both due to injuries.
Siyabonga Ntubeni is set to play in the front row in place of Mbongeni Mbonambi – between Springboks Frans Malherbe (playing in his 100th game) and new skipper Steven Kitshoff.
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In the back row, Johan du Toit will start at No.8, alongside his brother Pieter-Steph, in place of injured talisman Siya Kolisi.
There are also four changes among the replacements, with Cobus Wiese, Juarno Agustus and Jean-Luc du Plessis returning from injury, while Chad Solomon is set to make his first appearance of the season.
@Springboks captain Siya Kolisi believes South Africa's recent successes in New Zealand could have positively impact the country's flailing @SuperRugby sides. #SuperRugby https://t.co/CXwlgc3Qwq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 18, 2020
History does not favour the Bulls in Cape Town, as they last beat the Stormers in the Mother City in 2011.
However, the visitors do take comfort in knowing how to unlock their opponents after last season’s 40-0 drubbing at Loftus Versfeld, which was followed by a narrow one-point loss in the return fixture.
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The Stormers will be looking to make it two straight wins at the start of the season, following their 27-0 victory against the Hurricanes.
Finger of blame pointed https://t.co/DMlZUFAIe3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 5, 2020
Stormers coach John Dobson said that his team is determined to build on their performance last week in what should be a typically fierce South African derby.
“We know there are some areas in which we can make a step up and we are expecting a hugely physical challenge on Saturday, so we cannot afford to lose focus,” the coach said.
“The atmosphere at Newlands last week was incredible and we are looking forward to another opportunity to play in front of our supporters in a big derby, we are determined to make the most of what will be another great opportunity.
“This will be the last North-South Vodacom Super Rugby derby at Newlands, so it will be another piece of history for the rugby-mad people of this region,” he said.
Stormers: Dillyn Leyds, Sergeal Petersen, Ruhan Nel, Jamie Roberts, Seabelo Senatla, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jaco Coetzee, Chris van Zyl, Salmaan Moerat, Frans Malherbe, Siyabonga Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff (c). Reserves: Chad Solomon, Ali Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ernst van Rhyn, Juarno Augustus, Godlen Masimla, Jean-Luc du Plessis.
Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Morné Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Josh Strauss, Abongile Nonkontwana, Jeandré Rudolph, Juandré Kruger, Andries Ferreira, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka. Reserves: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wiehahn Herbst, Ruan Nortje, Wian Vosloo, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.
– Rugby365
Siya Kolisi has discussed his fairly serious injury ahead of the Stormers’ round 2 clash with the Bulls:
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments