Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Nizaam Carr will captain the Stormers in their Super Rugby clash in Durban on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 19:10.
It has been reliably learnt that the Springbok loose forward will lead a Stormers 'B' team in their final Super Rugby league fixture against the men from Durban before they tackle the playoffs the following weekend.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said he has looked at the situation and described his sides chances of ending up in second position on the overall Super Rugby standings as “highly unlikely.”
A second place finish would have secured a home semi-final spot for the Cape franchise - a week's rest during the "quarter-finals".
Coetzee will however use the game against the Sharks to bring back a few players who have been sidelined with injuries for a while. Players like Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk and Michael Rhodes will be in the starting line-up. It will also be a golden opportunity to test the depth of his squad.
“I am not even worried about the outcome of the games between the Waratahs and Reds as well as the Brumbies and Crusaders,” said Coetzee.
“The only thing that we know is that we are in the quarter-finals. We must just make sure that we prepare well for the Sharks game. It doesn’t matter against who and where we play in the quarter-finals.”
Carr wil most probably be the only player in the starting line-up against the Sharks that started in last week’s stalemate against the Lions at Newlands. He will form a formidable loose trio combination with Rhodes and the exciting Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
“We will give players a rest this weekend, while others will be given an opportunity to be sharp as well as to shore up our depth,” said Coetzee.
“Cheslin (Kolbe) has played all the games this year, while Dillyn (Leyds) only missed one game when he had problems with his AC joint before the bye week.
“After Saturday, there are only three weeks left with the quarter-final, semi and final remaining.
“’We have achieved all our goals thus far. We now have a competition within another competition. That is how we see it and we will plan accordingly.”
Coetzee says it does not bother him that they will have to travel for the playoffs.
“The fact that we have to tour, could still count in our favour. We have seen it during the season.
“We were under the cosh and nearly beat the Hurricanes in Wellington. We went on to beat the defending champs, the Waratahs in Sydney and managed to turn things around. And if that is the path that we have to walk, then so be it. We only focus on what we can control, added Coetzee.
