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Stephen Nell
Cape Town -The Stormers are considering picking rookie props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe on their substitutes bench for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Newlands.
Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot confirmed on Tuesday that Springbok prop CJ van der Linde would remain sidelined with a groin injury this week.
With the Cape side considering a split of five forwards and two backs for their bench, the outcome may well be the biggest moment in the careers of the two young props.
"I think it's definitely an option," said Proudfoot when asked about the possibility of a five-two split.
Kitshoff was still at school last year, but was utilised as a substitute against the Chiefs, Blues and Brumbies on the Stormers' tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Malherbe, who was still part of a golden generation of Western Province under-19 players last year, was asked to join the tour party in Australia when Van der Linde was sent home. He featured as a substitute against the Rebels.
"I'm delighted with them. They showed their quality on tour," said Proudfoot in singing the praises of his young guns.
Dewaldt Duvenage should be fit to do duty at scrumhalf, but the Stormers are not yet certain about Peter Grant. Kurt Coleman may therefore start against the Bulls.
"Bash (Grant) trained on Tuesday. We will see how he recovers," said Proudfoot.
It has been reported from Pretoria that Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will not play for the Bulls, but that does not change the nature of the onslaught the Stormers are anticipating from the Bulls.
"It makes no difference. The Bulls are an unbelievable side - whether it's Bakkies or Danie Rossouw at lock, or Fourie du Preez or Francois Hougaard at scrumhalf. It won't make a difference to the intensity," said Proudfoot.
He added that the Bulls' physical intensity in recent derbies against the Sharks and Cheetahs was "something to behold".
"They had 15 lineouts against the Sharks and started mauls from 11 of them."
Cape Town -The Stormers are considering picking rookie props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe on their substitutes bench for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Bulls at Newlands.
Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot confirmed on Tuesday that Springbok prop CJ van der Linde would remain sidelined with a groin injury this week.
With the Cape side considering a split of five forwards and two backs for their bench, the outcome may well be the biggest moment in the careers of the two young props.
"I think it's definitely an option," said Proudfoot when asked about the possibility of a five-two split.
Kitshoff was still at school last year, but was utilised as a substitute against the Chiefs, Blues and Brumbies on the Stormers' tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Malherbe, who was still part of a golden generation of Western Province under-19 players last year, was asked to join the tour party in Australia when Van der Linde was sent home. He featured as a substitute against the Rebels.
"I'm delighted with them. They showed their quality on tour," said Proudfoot in singing the praises of his young guns.
Dewaldt Duvenage should be fit to do duty at scrumhalf, but the Stormers are not yet certain about Peter Grant. Kurt Coleman may therefore start against the Bulls.
"Bash (Grant) trained on Tuesday. We will see how he recovers," said Proudfoot.
It has been reported from Pretoria that Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will not play for the Bulls, but that does not change the nature of the onslaught the Stormers are anticipating from the Bulls.
"It makes no difference. The Bulls are an unbelievable side - whether it's Bakkies or Danie Rossouw at lock, or Fourie du Preez or Francois Hougaard at scrumhalf. It won't make a difference to the intensity," said Proudfoot.
He added that the Bulls' physical intensity in recent derbies against the Sharks and Cheetahs was "something to behold".
"They had 15 lineouts against the Sharks and started mauls from 11 of them."
