Van Aswegan: The Stormers saviour?
The Stormers and their fans will be hoping that Gary Van Aswegen will be able to answer their questions when they take on the inform Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.
The 23-year-old pivot has had his fair share of injury problems and the Western Cape franchise has turned to him as the replacement for the injured Elton Jantjies and Peter Grant – as the No.10 curse continue to haunt the Stormers .
Coach Allister Coetzee and captain Jean de Villiers have faith in the No.10, who will make his first start in their 2013 Super Rugby campaign and will have the experience of Dewald Duvenage inside him and the Bok skipper, De Villiers on his outside.
"[Van Aswegen's start] is richly deserved," Coetzee said, adding: "I think he has played three games now for the Vodacom Cup and is over his injuries and in those twenty minutes he got [against the Cheetahs] – he learnt from that.
"It is important that we have Dewald [Duvenage] there behind the pack with his experience – which is valuable – and it is another kicking option for us to take the pressure off Gary [Van Aswegen]."
The youngster will be coming up against inform South African flyhalf Patrick Lambie and will be eager to impress, not only his coach, but the home crowd.
De Villiers also thinks that Van Aswegen has got what it takes to cut it in the competition.
"Gary [Van Aswegen] made his Super Rugby debut two seasons ago and unfortunately he has been hampered by injuries.
"He has had a good run at Vodacom Cup level and he has the full skills set to play at this level.
"He is at a good stage in his career, he is in a good space mentally, defensively he won't let you down, he has got a good pass and he has a good kicking game.
"Hopefully he can get through the game, essentially he needs to steer the ship now and help with the decision making," De Villiers mentioned.
The Stormers will have to be very protective over him when they take on this physical Sharks pack and if he get's similar ball to what Jantjies has been receiving it could be a long afternoon for the flyhalf.
By Nick Tatham
