Steyn takes the reins for Sharks

 

Director of Rugby Jake White has named a strong side for this derby game, opting to start with a formidable side that has been the hallmark of this team throughout the competition.

 

Of the injured trio of Jordaan, Pat Lambie and Tendai Mtawarira all receiving scans this week to confirm or deny a return to rugby, it was only Jordaan who was passed fit.

 

He has been included alongside JP Pietersen in the midfield. Steyn takes over from Tim Swiel at flyhalf and Fred Zeilinga has been named as back-up off the bench.

 

"Pat is still not available, but should be back next week, we have a couple of niggles, bumps and bruises," White said.

 

"Tera [Lubabalo Mtembu] is not 100% this week either.

 

"If we look at playing next week, possibly the following and possibly the following after that, we need to make sure we have a full and clean bill of health. 

 

"We can’t get ahead of ourselves, if we have to play a quarterfinal, a semifinal and the final, we need to look at having all our players available."

 

After playing Swiel at flyhalf last week, White has changed tactics this time by omitting the youngster from the match day 23 altogether.

 

"There is an Under-21 game that Swiel will be part of, it’s their first outing in the Competition, so it’s only fair we pick our strongest side at that level," White continued. 

 

"Fred’s [Zeilinga] back this week, Frans [Steyn] and Paul [Jordaan] formed a good combination against the Crusaders and Blues before Paul got injured, it’s just going back to what’s worked for us in the big games.

 

Speaking of his centres, where there are a few positional anomalies, White has backed up his choices on the basis of form.

 

"JP [Pietersen] was Man of the Match in a Test match two weeks ago at outside centre," White added.

 

"He got comfortable there, I thought it’s much easier to keep him there rather than swap him back and forth between there and wing, it’s not fair on him. 

 

"The thinking is to just leave him there for the time being.

  

Ryan Kankowski is back at No.8 after withdrawing from last week’s game with a groin strain, and White has bolstered the starting line-up with three Boks who played off the bench last week, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis and brother and captain Bismarck.

 

Thomas du Toit has enjoyed a meteoric rise, having been selected out of the Sharks Academy to play for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup, representing South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand recently and last week earned his debut for the Sharks in Super Rugby.

 

His performance last week, when he came on off the bench, has been seen as worthy of a recall for this week as he is thrust into the starting line-up.

 

“It was his first game, he’s just a 19 year old prop, but it was obviously massive for him and he scrummed against a Springbok front row,” said White.

 

“I’m sure he enjoyed it which is nice, but I think he would have enjoyed it more if he’d won.”

 

The Stormers are playing purely for pride, looking to give their fans a happy, final send off when their tournament concludes on Saturday.

Date: Saturday, July 12

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)