Vodacom Super 14

AJ named Stormers captain

2009-01-28 16:13

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Cape Town - Rassie Erasmus has decided to give several of his second-stringers a run in the Stormers' friendly derby clash against neighbours Boland in Wellington on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:30.

In a surprise move, former Sharks veteran AJ Venter, who teamed up with the Stormers last year, has been named as captain for Saturday's clash, which will be the side's final Super 14 warm-up fixture. Venter will play at lock instead of his usual loose forward position.

The backline which will be doing duty is an untried combination and the naming of Nick Koster on the right wing should attract a lot of interest.

Erasmus has decided to retread the promising loose forward as a wing in the hope of making him a regular in the 2009 squad, instead of competing for a back row berth where there appears to be great depth.

The Stormers team to play Boland is as follows:

Percy Montgomery, Nick Koster, Dylan Des Fountain, Morgan Newman, Alipate Fatafehi, Joe Pietersen, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Luke Watson, Pieter Louw, AJ Venter (captain), George Earle, Brian Mujati, Deon Fourie, JD Moller.

Reserves: Schalk Brits, Wicus Blaauw, Schalk Ferreira, Hilton Lobberts, Adriaan Fondse, Andries Bekker, Duane Vermeulen, Bolla Conradie, Ricky Januarie, Peter Grant, Jean de Villiers, Gcobani Bobo, Tonderai Chavhanga, Sireli Naqelevuki.

Your Comments

Anonymous User1/29/2009 4:43 PM: Yes Luke said some harsh truths about the Green & Gold but I support him all the way. I'm a Stormers fan and all you guys calling for his head can stop as it's getting boring. Rugby is greater then all it's past and present players and rugby will see this incident through!

Bigbratz1/29/2009 12:26 PM: AJ was good in his day, but his "by used date" has expired.

Anonymous User1/29/2009 10:53 AM: Come on A.J you are ruining a great rugby career by holding on to long. I remember watching you and Thinus Delport destroy the Sharks in the Currie cup final in Durban,now you can barely run. Please bru hang up you're boots.Anyway you dont wan to be in the same team as that idiot Puke Twatson.

Kwekweguy1/29/2009 9:44 AM: Anonymous, AJ Venter will be a brilliant lock , and great backup for the Stormers at lock as they have none. AJ Venter is as fit as the rest of them and definitely one of the hard men of SA rugby. Have some respect. You will be eating your words. His leadership qualities are very rarely matched and he will be having alot of inluence in the coaching and development of players like, Louw , Koster and Vermeulen . He is the most fiery player I know. Dont judge a player by his age, but by his ability. Maybe Venter will give Puke a couple of bachands while he is there. No I am not a Stormers supporter but a Sharks supporter hence have alot of respect for Venter.

jakes1/29/2009 9:00 AM: What a joke. AJ is not even a first choice player for the Stormers 22.

Burtfred1/28/2009 6:10 PM: I was brought up in the shadow of Newlands stadium, I played my schoolboy rugby on Newlands B field (now the sports science institute) I have been a lifelong supporter of WP and Stormers rugby, even though I have lived in Johannesburg for 30 years. I won't be watching any game that Luke Watson plays in. Rassie and Allister - drop this Judas from the side before you lose your loyal Newlands support. Luke Watson - why don't you go play rugby in some place where there are no "Dutchmen" or Springboks; try Reikjavic in Iceland or Ulan Bator in Mongolia maybe.

`Glen1/28/2009 6:06 PM: What a poor side. EX natal player s and puke , Boooooooooooooo. Than goodness im not a WP supporter

Sally - China1/28/2009 5:58 PM: Really Stormer Supporter, do we have to start the season with such behaviour. I look forward to reading about the Stormers playing well and am very optimistic about getting to the semi's. I miss my rugby enjoy the season everyone

Anonymous User1/28/2009 5:46 PM: AJ Venter still playing.?? hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa Great Rassie... While you at it, why don;t you bring back Danie Gerber, maybe Gyssie Pienaar... you a fool Rassie..., start giving the youngsters opportunities!! Real recipe for an empty stadium.

Stormer Supporter1/28/2009 4:29 PM: What is Puke doing in the team? When are they going to get rid of him? I will be booooing him. I hope everyone does. He does not have the integrity to wear the Stormers jersey. BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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