DHL Stormers 2018 squad confirmed
DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck has named a 47-man squad for the upcoming 2018 Vodacom Super Rugby season.
Experienced loose forward Siya Kolisi, who currently has 89 caps for the DHL Stormers, continues in the leadership role he took up last year, with lock Eben Etzebeth his vice-captain.
The DHL Stormers get their 2018 Vodacom Super rugby campaign underway when they host the Jaguares at DHL Newlands on Saturday, February 17.
Of the 47-man squad, there are nine players who will not be available to face the Jaguares in the opening game due to injury.
Etzebeth (shoulder), is joined on the injured list by SP Marais (toe), Scarra Ntubeni (hamstring), Ali Vermaak (hamstring), Jano Vermaak (knee), Jean-Luc du Plessis (groin), Dan du Plessis (shoulder), Frans Malherbe (neck) and Juarno Augustus (back).
Craig Barry (Toyota Cheetahs) and Neethling Fouche (Maties) are currently with other teams but are available to the DHL Stormers this season.
Fleck said that despite the injuries, the players are excited to get the season underway, having worked hard in the pre-season.
“It has been a good pre-season, which has seen us implement a number of new ideas, so the players are keen to make all the hard work count out on the pitch.
“We are all looking forward to our opening game against the Jaguares, which gives us a chance to play in front of our loyal fans at DHL Newlands before we go on tour,” he said.
Tickets for the game against the Jaguares will go on sale from 12h00 on Monday from wprugby.computicket.com or any Computicket outlet.
DHL Stormers squad: Juarno Augustus, Craig Barry, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Damian de Allende, Jan de Klerk, Paul de Wet, Stephan de Wit, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Dewaldt Duvenage, JJ Engelbrecht, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, JC Janse van Rensberg, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (captain), Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, SP Marais, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Dean Muir, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Caylib Oosthuizen, Sergeal Petersen, Justin Phillips, Raymond Rhule, Carlu Sadie, Ramone Samuels, JD Schickerling, Seabelo Senatla, Joshua Stander, Kobus van Dyk, Chris van Zyl, Alistair Vermaak, Jano Vermaak, EW Viljoen, George Whitehead, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Eddie Zandberg.
