DHL Stormers welcome back returning stars
The DHL Stormers have been bolstered by the return of key players from duties in the HSBC Sevens World Series and in Japan.
Stalwarts Schalk Burger and Eben Etzebeth joined up with the team last week after returning from stints in Japan, along with Damian de Allende who has been sidelined with an ankle injury.
Juan de Jongh and Cheslin Kolbe were also back at training this week after completing their duties for the Springbok Sevens in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Kolbe and De Jongh starred for the BlitzBokke in Wellington and Sydney, with the quicksilver Kolbe named in the Dream Team for the Australian leg of the Series.
DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that having players of their calibre back in the fold is a significant boost as they continue to build towards the new Vodacom Super Rugby season which kicks off with a clash against the Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands on Saturday, February 27.
“It is fantastic to have world class players such as these back in the mix, as they give the rest of the squad a real lift.
“The rest of the players have put in an incredible amount of work in the off-season, and now the focus is on getting the returning players up to speed on our plans as soon as possible,” he said.
The first task at hand will be the pre-season friendly against the Jaguares from Argentina at DHL Newlands on Saturday, February 13 for which tickets are R50 each, with season tickets not valid.
The visitors boast the likes of Pumas flyhalf Nicolás Sánchez, who was the leading points-scorer at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, elusive wing Santiago Cordero, tough flanks Juan Manuel Leguizamón, and Pablo Matera amongst their ranks and will be led by Argentina skipper Agustín Creevy.
Fleck said that his squad will have to make the most of every minute against the Jaguares to ensure that they are able to hit the ground running from the first match against the Vodacom Bulls.
“The Jaguares will be a seriously tough side that will test us in a number of important areas.
“We got some good game-time under our belts in the friendly against the SWD Eagles in George, and we want to use this match against the Jaguares to ensure that all of the players are ready to go ahead our first Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Vodacom Bulls,” he added.
Of course, the friendly will also be the first opportunity for DHL Stormers fans to catch some of the new signings in action against a highly competitive Jaguares side.
Tickets are available from any Computicket outlet, via www.iamastormer.com and the stadium box office. The match will not be televised.
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