Share

Stormers give S15 squad clue

Cape Town - Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee has named a 38-man squad for next week's pre-season camp in Hermanus.

VIDEO: :"Caveman" Chabal plays a fairy

The Stormers will on Monday head to Hermanus for the fourth year in a row as they prepare for the 2014 Super Rugby season which gets underway in just over a month.

Springboks Tiaan Liebenberg, Frans Malherbe, Pat Cilliers, Siya Kolisi, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean de Villiers, Jaco Taute, Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon are all part of the 38-man group, which also includes new signing Manuel Carizza (lock) and utility back Scott van Breda, who is on loan from the Kings.

Youngsters like Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward), Jean Kleyn (lock) and Ryno Eksteen (flyhalf) - all of whom are still Under-21 - have also been included in the squad, along with members of last year’s Under-21 group who have moved into the senior ranks in 2014; those being Oli Kebble, Godlen Masimla, Pat Howard and Kobus van Wyk.

Coach Coetzee told www.iamastormer.com: “Scott (van Breda) is on loan with us for the trip to Hermanus and if he continues to impress at training there could be an opportunity for him come the start of the Super Rugby season - the same goes for players like Oli, Godlen, Pat and Kobus.

“In terms of Notshe, Jean and Ryno, we always take promising young players with us on camp - it’s great for us, as coaches, to work with them and, at the same time, gives them exposure to the Stormers culture and what it takes to one day become a core member of our group.”

Coetzee and his management staff returned to work on Monday of this week, with the players returning on Tuesday.

“We tested all the players on Tuesday and I was very happy with the condition of the players during their ‘maintenance phase of conditioning’ (holiday),” explained Coetzee. “All the players put in a good effort over December and it was pleasing to see them get stuck in during our three sessions this past week.

“The emphasis this week has been 50-50 in terms of conditioning and technical work, but next week in camp our focus will change in favour of 70% technical/rugby work and 30% conditioning.

“We have about 14 sessions from now until our first pre-season match against the Bulls (on February 1). We know where we want to be come February 1 and our process is already beginning to take shape.”

The Stormers will play their first pre-season match - against the Bulls in Polokwane - on Saturday, February 1, followed by clashes against the Kings (February 7) and Boland (February 15) on successive weekends thereafter.

Their 2014 Super Rugby season kicks-off against the Lions - in Johannesburg - on Saturday, February 22.

Stormers squad:

Gio Aplon, Ruan Botha, Schalk Burger, Manuel Carizza, Nizaam Carr, Demetri Catrakilis, Pat Cilliers, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Ryno Eksteen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Deon Fourie, Tazz Fuzani, Nic Groom, Brok Harris, Pat Howard, Cheslin Kolbe, Oliver Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Tiaan Liebenberg, Frans Malherbe, Godlen Masimla, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, De Kock Steenkamp, Jaco Taute, Gary van Aswegen, Scott van Breda, Michael van der Spuy, Kobus van Wyk, Alistair Vermaak, Duane Vermeulen.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1804 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1766 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1067 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 450 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 184 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
4% - 248 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE