Publications
Partners
Stephen Nell
Cape Town - The Stormers' Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Newlands on Saturday may well be a golden opportunity for Schalk Brits to serve a reminder of his talents to the Springbok selectors.
SANZAR, the governing body for Super Rugby, approved Brits's participation as a loose forward in the match at approximately 11:30 on Monday.
The unexpected development comes after SA under-20 loose forward Siya Kolisi sustained injuries after he was allegedly mugged on Friday night.
Brits (30) trained with the Stormers on Monday afternoon and he is expected to be included on the substitutes bench by the Cape side's coach, Allister Coetzee.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said recently that Brits had taken himself out of the Bok picture by playing overseas.
This may well be a golden opportunity for Brits to show that he still belongs in the Bok squad, especially as the convenor of national selectors, Peter Jooste, is expected to look on from Western Province's President's Suite.
"It's a high-profile game and if he does well I'm sure people will notice and think twice about it," Coetzee said on Monday.
"Hopefully he gets an opportunity. The reason we wanted him is that x-factor that he can bring. It's similar to what we previously got from Nick Koster off the bench."
Koster will be in the starting line-up after No 8 Duane Vermeulen suffered a serious knee injury against the Cheetahs. Pieter Louw is also injured.
Kolisi was the next loose forward in line and after he was ruled out the co-operation agreement between WP and Saracens came into play again.
Coetzee confirmed that Brits was only being considered as a loose forward.
He is, of course, a hooker, but prior to him joining Saracens the Stormers had occasionally used him as a loose forward.
"Schalk has played at No 6 and No 8 for the Stormers, so he can bring that impact," said Coetzee.
"If you look at how he played for Saracens, his role was basically that of a loose forward. He throws the ball in at the lineouts, but hangs back as cover for kicks.
"That is why he's considered one of the top players in Europe. He catches the ball, runs at opponents and breaks the line.
"I have watched games of Saracens where he was under pressure from the chase after a kick. He would then kick the ball out 40 or 50 meters."
Brits will certainly add a lot of value off the Stormers' bench.
"The players we sent on in the last 20 or 30 minutes of games have made an impact throughout the season," said Coetzee.
"You don't want only three of your seven players on the bench to be able to make an impact and have the rest in case of emergency. We have created depth in the province and could use those players when we need them. In our case we could use all seven players."
Coetzee confirmed that scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage is fit, but there is still doubt over whether Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will be ready.
Brits will also be available for the Stormers as loose forward if they make the final.
Cape Town - The Stormers' Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Newlands on Saturday may well be a golden opportunity for Schalk Brits to serve a reminder of his talents to the Springbok selectors.
SANZAR, the governing body for Super Rugby, approved Brits's participation as a loose forward in the match at approximately 11:30 on Monday.
The unexpected development comes after SA under-20 loose forward Siya Kolisi sustained injuries after he was allegedly mugged on Friday night.
Brits (30) trained with the Stormers on Monday afternoon and he is expected to be included on the substitutes bench by the Cape side's coach, Allister Coetzee.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said recently that Brits had taken himself out of the Bok picture by playing overseas.
This may well be a golden opportunity for Brits to show that he still belongs in the Bok squad, especially as the convenor of national selectors, Peter Jooste, is expected to look on from Western Province's President's Suite.
"It's a high-profile game and if he does well I'm sure people will notice and think twice about it," Coetzee said on Monday.
"Hopefully he gets an opportunity. The reason we wanted him is that x-factor that he can bring. It's similar to what we previously got from Nick Koster off the bench."
Koster will be in the starting line-up after No 8 Duane Vermeulen suffered a serious knee injury against the Cheetahs. Pieter Louw is also injured.
Kolisi was the next loose forward in line and after he was ruled out the co-operation agreement between WP and Saracens came into play again.
Coetzee confirmed that Brits was only being considered as a loose forward.
He is, of course, a hooker, but prior to him joining Saracens the Stormers had occasionally used him as a loose forward.
"Schalk has played at No 6 and No 8 for the Stormers, so he can bring that impact," said Coetzee.
"If you look at how he played for Saracens, his role was basically that of a loose forward. He throws the ball in at the lineouts, but hangs back as cover for kicks.
"That is why he's considered one of the top players in Europe. He catches the ball, runs at opponents and breaks the line.
"I have watched games of Saracens where he was under pressure from the chase after a kick. He would then kick the ball out 40 or 50 meters."
Brits will certainly add a lot of value off the Stormers' bench.
"The players we sent on in the last 20 or 30 minutes of games have made an impact throughout the season," said Coetzee.
"You don't want only three of your seven players on the bench to be able to make an impact and have the rest in case of emergency. We have created depth in the province and could use those players when we need them. In our case we could use all seven players."
Coetzee confirmed that scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage is fit, but there is still doubt over whether Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will be ready.
Brits will also be available for the Stormers as loose forward if they make the final.
