Stormers power up for Cheetahs friendly

28 January 2015 - 11:52 By Sapa
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Eben Etzebeth during the DHL Stormers training session and press conference at High Performance Centre on January 27, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
Eben Etzebeth during the DHL Stormers training session and press conference at High Performance Centre on January 27, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has announced a strong line-up for Friday's friendly clash against the Cheetahs at Newlands, in Cape Town.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will start in his first match of 2015 -- his first appearance in a Stormers jersey since 2013.

Talented youngster Huw Jones gets a run at inside centre, after Damian de Allende was ruled out with a slight quadriceps tear.

"It's a slight tear, so we could've pushed Damian if, say, we were playing in a final," Coetzee said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It's not serious, but we didn't want to risk him at this stage of our pre-season preparations."

Demetri Catrakilis will start at flyhalf, while Currie Cup-winning lock Jean Kleyn was named among the replacements after recovering from a knee injury which delayed his start to his team's pre-season programme.

Inside centre/fullback Jaco Taute went for a basic scope on his knee on Monday and would be out of action for four to six weeks. His lay-off has given an opportunity to last year's WP Under-21 star, Johnny Kotze, who was named on the bench to face the Cheetahs.

"This is our best possible team for this weekend.

"I know the Cheetahs have had a game against the Bulls and they will view this as another preparation game ahead of the Super Rugby tournament.

"In order to get match sharp you need to play against other Super Rugby franchises and this week - after playing against SWD in George - brings with it different challenges, especially on defence against a team like the Cheetahs who like to play with width and have a good passing game."

The Stormers beat the SWD Eagles by 34-3 last weekend and will conclude their pre-season preparations against the Boland Cavaliers next weekend.

"Last week's game was important to get that first proper hit-out, (that first) contact session out of the way.

"This week we need to be sharper and concentrate on our detail more. We need to cut out those errors, do the basics right and show a big improvement across the board.

"The Boland game will give us an opportunity to - hopefully - bring back the likes of Siya Kolisi and Nizaam Carr... or to give Jean Kleyn more (game) time and to bring our entire squad up to speed."

Coetzee also cleared up media speculation over Mat Turner, the England Sevens ace who was back in Cape Town and currently training with the squad.

"Mat is back in Cape Town, now that his Sevens commitments are a thing of the past.

"He asked if he could join us at training and we said yes - we certainly won't chase him away. There is no commitment from our side and he has not been offered a contract, he just wants to keep fit and train at this stage.

"There are a lot of other players in the system we would need to give opportunities to first and Mat understands that. We will see how it goes and if he should warrant selection he would need to move via the proper structures."

Stormers Team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh (vice-captain), Huw Jones, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Michael Rhodes, Rynhardt Elstadt, Manuel Carizza, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Alistair Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Jurie van Vuuren, Jean Kleyn, Neil Rautenbach, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Johnny Kotze, Robert du Preez, EW Viljoen.

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