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Cape Town - Former Springbok fullback Gysie Pienaar believes Saturday's Super Rugby clash between the Stormers and Cheetahs at Newlands could be a Bok trial for the No 15 position.
He told Volksblad both Joe Pietersen (Stormers) and Hennie Daniller (Cheetahs) are strong candidates for the Springbok fullback position.
"It's definitely a small Springbok trial for the No 15 position.
"I don’t know what Heyneke's (Meyer, Bok coach) plans are, but Hennie and Joe are both strong candidates.
"Yes Patrick Lambie and Frans Steyn are also there but I believe you should pick a player in the position he usually plays in.
"Too many players' careers have been ruined because they were picked out of their specialist position," said Pienaar.
Daniller has won more field position than Pietersen with ball in hand this season. According to rugbyheaven's statistics Daniller has gained 587 running metres. Pietersen, on the other hand, has kicked more, gaining 3 554m in field possession from 91 kicks.
Pienaar said the two weigh up well against each other.
"Hennie is a versatile player - he's solid under the high ball, has a good boot, and attacks and defends well.
"Joe is a good place-kicker and also attacks well," said Pienaar.
The clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
The Stormers currently lie fourth on the overall log with 41 points after nine games, with the Cheetahs in 10th spot on 26 points.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean De Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman
He told Volksblad both Joe Pietersen (Stormers) and Hennie Daniller (Cheetahs) are strong candidates for the Springbok fullback position.
"It's definitely a small Springbok trial for the No 15 position.
"I don’t know what Heyneke's (Meyer, Bok coach) plans are, but Hennie and Joe are both strong candidates.
"Yes Patrick Lambie and Frans Steyn are also there but I believe you should pick a player in the position he usually plays in.
"Too many players' careers have been ruined because they were picked out of their specialist position," said Pienaar.
Daniller has won more field position than Pietersen with ball in hand this season. According to rugbyheaven's statistics Daniller has gained 587 running metres. Pietersen, on the other hand, has kicked more, gaining 3 554m in field possession from 91 kicks.
Pienaar said the two weigh up well against each other.
"Hennie is a versatile player - he's solid under the high ball, has a good boot, and attacks and defends well.
"Joe is a good place-kicker and also attacks well," said Pienaar.
The clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
The Stormers currently lie fourth on the overall log with 41 points after nine games, with the Cheetahs in 10th spot on 26 points.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean De Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman
