Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Saracens hooker Schalk Brits has answered an SOS from the beleaguered Stormers to join their squad ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Newlands on Saturday.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said that Saracens had agreed to release Brits and Super Rugby's bosses at SANZAR have given him the green light to play as a loose forward for the rest of the Super Rugby season.
Brits arrived in Cape Town on Sunday night and was at the team's base in Belville on Monday morning.
The Stormers' No 8 Duane Vermeulen was injured two weeks ago in the match against the Cheetahs and the team's management decided to call on SA Under-20 loose forward Siya Kolisi as a replacement. Kolisi was in Italy with the Baby Boks last week.
However, Kolisi suffered injury in a mugging over the weekend and was declared unfit to play. Kolisi suffered wrist and shoulder injuries as well as a concussion.
"We wanted a player with the x-factor and Brits brings that to the team," said Coetzee. "SANZAR has given him permission to play as a loose forward and not as a hooker.
"Our problem was at loose forward and Brits has played there before for the Stormers. "He won't have a problem playing that role because he's been playing like a loose forward, even though he's been throwing in the ball at the line-outs and competed in the scrums for Saracens.
"We were looking for a player like Nick Koster who could make an impact when coming off the substitutes' bench and Brits has that ability."
Coetzee said a full house was expected at Newlands on Saturday and his team would thrive in front of a capacity crowd.
"I know Newlands fairly well and we get energy from a crowd that has supported the team in good and bad times," said Coetzee.
"The players get goosebumps every time they run out at Newlands and aim to make the crowd proud of their team.
"We're up against a side that has been in many play-offs and finals. They have quality all round the field.
"We will embrace the challenge on Saturday and we know that very often in life one only gets one opportunity."
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said that Saracens had agreed to release Brits and Super Rugby's bosses at SANZAR have given him the green light to play as a loose forward for the rest of the Super Rugby season.
Brits arrived in Cape Town on Sunday night and was at the team's base in Belville on Monday morning.
The Stormers' No 8 Duane Vermeulen was injured two weeks ago in the match against the Cheetahs and the team's management decided to call on SA Under-20 loose forward Siya Kolisi as a replacement. Kolisi was in Italy with the Baby Boks last week.
However, Kolisi suffered injury in a mugging over the weekend and was declared unfit to play. Kolisi suffered wrist and shoulder injuries as well as a concussion.
"We wanted a player with the x-factor and Brits brings that to the team," said Coetzee. "SANZAR has given him permission to play as a loose forward and not as a hooker.
"Our problem was at loose forward and Brits has played there before for the Stormers. "He won't have a problem playing that role because he's been playing like a loose forward, even though he's been throwing in the ball at the line-outs and competed in the scrums for Saracens.
"We were looking for a player like Nick Koster who could make an impact when coming off the substitutes' bench and Brits has that ability."
Coetzee said a full house was expected at Newlands on Saturday and his team would thrive in front of a capacity crowd.
"I know Newlands fairly well and we get energy from a crowd that has supported the team in good and bad times," said Coetzee.
"The players get goosebumps every time they run out at Newlands and aim to make the crowd proud of their team.
"We're up against a side that has been in many play-offs and finals. They have quality all round the field.
"We will embrace the challenge on Saturday and we know that very often in life one only gets one opportunity."
