Share

Stormers to deal with discipline

Cape Town - Yellow cards and a lack of discipline has forced the Stormers to re-look their game in the aftermath of last weekend's Super Rugby derby match against the Lions.

Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said a great deal of time was spent on looking at discipline issues in the match, during a video session on Monday morning.

"There was a lengthy discussion about our discipline this morning," Coetzee said in Cape Town on Monday.

"Discipline is of cardinal importance to us but we conceded 20 penalties and then on-field and off-field yellow cards.

"We dish out punishment to players who are guilty and we cannot play at this level with 14 players."

Most of the penalties against the Stormers were awarded in the second half and the team was unable to regain the momentum that produced two first-half tries that were scored while they were reduced to 14 men.

Stuart Berry refereed the match and opted not to yellow-card Michael Rhodes for a dangerous tackle, despite the incident being shown on the stadium's big screen.

However, the citing commissioner at the match issued an off-field yellow card.

"It is important to deal with these (refereeing) decisions because players need to be sure what went wrong," said Coetzee.

"We need to work with the referee so that we know what he wants.

"Of course, there are 50-50 decisions that will go against us, and some of the decisions could be debatable."

Coetzee said the ideal situation was for the players to know how the match official thinks.

"When players are puzzled by decisions, the management will try to give them an explanation and that makes for a better understanding of the ref's decisions," Coetzee said.

"It is also vital because Stuart Berry will get to blow some of our matches again."

Prop Pat Cilliers is the latest to join the Stormers' injury list and may be sidelined for a month.

The nuggety forward injured his knee after he fell awkwardly during second-half play against the Lions.

Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis is out with a nose fracture and is likely to return to action in a fortnight's time.

On Tuesday, the selection fates of wings Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk and hooker Scarra Ntubeni will be decided with fitness tests.

Flank Schalk Burger, meanwhile, is ready to return from injury and is likely to be named on the bench for their next clash, against the Cheetahs next weekend.

"It would be the right thing to play Schalla (Schalk Burger) off the bench because he needs game-time to attain match fitness," said Coetzee.

"He is pretty keen to play again because he understands the pain of sitting out."

Centre Jean de Villiers and eighthman Duane Vermuelen did not run out at Monday afternoon's training session because the two were being "managed" according to Coetzee.

Prop Frans Malherbe has taken ill but should be ready to play this weekend when the Stormers travel to Bloemfontein, while Sailosi Tagicakibau is nursing a sternum injury and will be rested for the next two days.

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
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1189 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1381 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2106 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