Young blood excites Stormers

 

The Stormers, more than most teams, have blooded plenty of youngsters this season – as more and more of their experianced campaigners are forced to sit out.

 

However, you have to feel this will be good for the Cape-based team in the future.

 

The likes of Ruan Botha, Jean Kleyn, Jurrie van Vuuren, Devon Williams, Alistair Vermaak and Kobus van Wyk have all made their senior start this season – with many of them becoming vital members of the Stormers set up.

 

For the coaching staff it has been a challenge not only replacing big names such as Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, Eben Etzebeth and Gio Aplon but tempering incoming young talent at the highest level.

 

The latest potential debutant, Sithembiso Sithole, is someone forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot is quite excited about.

 

"I am excited about Sithembiso, he played SA U20 and he is in a very similar mold to Alister Vermark," Proudfoot said at the Stormers High Performance centre in Bellville.

 

"We have a large group of young guys coming through and we are very fortunate in this regard.

 

"Frans [Malherbe] is 23, Steven [Kitshoff], Sithembiso [Sithole] is 20, Oliver Kebble is 22, Ali [Vermaak] is 24, I am really excited for this crop of young guys.

 

"The big thing for us is to manage them right.

 

"I think Sti [Sithole] has a similar game style as Alister [Vermaak], a real aggressive tight scrumager, neat and good defensively with great break down skills – he is a really exciting player.

 

When asked a little more about his versatility in the front row Proudfoot was clear in his plans for the young man.

 

"He is an out and out loosehead so we have got cover on the bench, Martin Dreyer will come on for Pat [Cilliers] in the second half and Sti will come on for Ali," he added.

 

The Stormers have had to thrust many of their younger, less experienced players in to pressure situations this season.

 

This will occur again on the weekend when the Stormers take on the Sharks with Sithole going up against Springbok incumbent Jannie du Plessis who has 100 Super Rugby caps over the ex-U20 player.

 

For head coach Coetzee it is about making sure these players are not over awed and managed right.

 

"For us again, a youthful side, inexperienced but there is no lack of enthusiasm and energy so it is a great challenge for us," he said in relation to the Sharks game," Said Coetzee.

 

"We put effort and energy into the youngsters so we can make sure that they are ready to perform.

 

"It is quite tough for any coach to go into a game without your experienced players like Jean [De Villiers], Schalk [Burger], Eben [Etzebeth], Gio [Aplon].

 

"It is not the ideal situation but we are happy to focus on young players coming through – they thrive in this environment."