Schalk Burger to lead Stormers on short Australian tour as Super Rugby returns

27 June 2016 - 17:57 By Craig Ray

Veteran looseforward Schalk Burger will lead the Stormers on their short Australian tour over the next fortnight in the absence of co-captains Juan de Jongh and Frans Malherbe.De Jongh is with the SA sevens team and has been withdrawn from Super Rugby duty while Malherbe suffered a neck injury while playing for the Springboks against Ireland at the weekend.It’s unclear how serious the injury is but he is expected to be out for two to three weeks.Coach Robbie Fleck named a 27-man squad that sees recalls for centre/fullback Jaco Taute and lock Jean Kleyn after lengthy injury lay-offs. Utility back Scott van Breda and prop JP Smith are also on tour for the first time. Fullback Cheslin Kolbe‚ who is also with the Blitzboks‚ will miss the tour as well where the Stormers will play against the Rebels and the Force. "Schalk Burger is one of the most experienced players in South African rugby‚ and he is certainly no stranger to the captaincy role‚ so we will draw on his leadership abilities as much as we can‚" Fleck said. The Stormers currently top the Africa 1 section of the South Africa Super Rugby conference‚ four points clear of the Bulls. They could cement their place at the top of the standings with a successful tour. "This is obviously a crucial tour for us‚ and the players know that we are in for two challenging matches in Australia‚” Fleck said. "With our international players only joining us this week‚ we have had to travel later than we usually would‚ but the benefit of that is that we are travelling together as a united group. "There are some new faces in the squad‚ and it is a great opportunity for them to experience a tour with the Stormers for the first time. "We have to gain some momentum in this final phase of the competition to keep our destiny in our own hands.” Stormers touring squad: Schalk Burger (captain)‚ Nizaam Carr‚ Damian de Allende‚ Daniel du Plessis‚ Jean-Luc du Plessis‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ Eben Etzebeth‚ Rynhardt Elstadt‚ Nic Groom‚ Huw Jones‚ Oli Kebble‚ Jean Kleyn‚ Vincent Koch‚ Siya Kolisi‚ Wilco Louw‚ Bongi Mbonambi‚ Sikhumbuzo Notshe‚ Scarra Ntubeni‚ JD Schickerling‚ Louis Schreuder‚ JP Smith‚ Jaco Taute‚ Brandon Thomson‚ Scott van Breda‚ Kobus van Wyk‚ Alistair Vermaak‚ Leolin Zas. - TMG Digital..

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