Captaincy hoodoo strikes Stormers

Andries Bekker is set to captain the Stormers for the first time in two years after Duane Vermeulen was yesterday ruled out of the team's final Super 15 tour match against the Western Force with a knee injury.

Bekker, who led the Stormers once against the Brumbies in 2010, will become the Stormers' fourth skipper of the year after Schalk Burger suffered knee ligament damage in the opening game of the season, Jean de Villiers suffered a wrist injury in round eight and then came Vermeulen's injury against the Reds in round nine.

Bekker missed last week's match because of a lower back injury but is expected to play against the Force. Should he not start, flyhalf Peter Grant will captain the team for the first time.

Coach Allister Coetzee originally gave Vermeulen the all clear after the 23-13 win against the Reds, in which he captained the side for the first time - unaware of the player's injury in the immediate aftermath of the game.

But the team's medical staff later found that Vermeulen was carrying an injury. Stormers media manager Gavin Lewis said that until he had seen a specialist it was too early to tell.

"Duane Vermeulen sustained a knee ligament injury in the game against the Reds and will see a knee specialist in Cape Town for assessment," the Stormers said.

"Western Province flank Don Armand and centre Berton Klaasen will fly to Perth today [Monday] to join up with the touring group."

Last year the Stormers used four flyhalves as injuries hit that position and this season it seems to be captains who are being felled.

Wing Gio Aplon, as expected, has also been ruled out of the match against the Force because of a strained hamstring. His condition is not too serious and he could be available for the match against the Cheetahs on May 12.

"Injuries are part of the game," Coetzee said. "As a squad you have to be able to handle them.

"This week it's the Force and, regardless who we select, we will need to be at our best to take the points. It is a big game for us, a win will mean a very successful tour."

The loss of Vermeulen, often the unsung hero of the Stormers pack, is a huge blow, even though Nick Koster provides decent No8 cover. Koster is better suited to carrying the ball forward, but he doesn't provide the same defensive steel that Vermeulen brings to the side.

Considering the Stormers base their play around physical defence, losing the key man in that area is arguably a bigger blow than losing both De Villiers and Aplon.

Fortunately the Force are a franchise in turmoil after sacking coach Richard Harry last week and their internal strife should work in the tourists' favour.