FRIDAY, 12.30PM:
INJURIES and inclement weather have forced the Western Stormers to change the squad that will play the Otago Highlanders in a Super-12 rugby match at Newlands on Saturday.
South Africa’s World Cup hero, winger Chester Williams, returns to Super-12 action after being sidelined with an injured knee. Williams will replace Justin Swart on the wing after good performances for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup.
Stormers team manager Butch Watson Smith indicated that Williams’ abilities under the high ball, and the intemperate weather conditions in Cape Town, aided in his selection.
South Western Districts Eagles prop Johan Human will make his debut for the Stormers on Saturday, and Boland centre Riccus Lubbe is also included because of the physical edge he will impart to the midfield.
The other changes in the squad see Harold Karele moving to number eight due to Andrew Aitken’s ankle injury. Johnny Trytsman will take over the captaincy from Aitken.
Selborne Boome moves to flank and Hottie Louw will lock the scrum.
Meanwhile, Coastal Sharks coach, Ian McIntosh, has named a squad of 23 players for the match against the Queensland Reds on Sunday.
McIntosh has done this in order to give his Springbok centre Pieter Muller time to recover from his knee injury. Muller will have the moisture drained from his knee on Friday, and will then be assessed for fitness — he does however, look like an unlikely starter.
The final 15 players for the Reds match at Kings Park will be announced on Friday afternoon.
The Squad of 23 are:
Andre Joubert, Russel Bennett, Shaun Payne, Jeremy Thompson, Pieter Muller, Stefan Terblanche, Joe Gillingham, Henry Honiball, Boeta Wessels, Kevin Putt, Hentie Martens, Gary Teichmann, Warren Brosnihan, Walter Minnaar, Dieter Kriese, Mark Andrews, Steve Atherton, John Slade, Adrian Garvey, Chris Rossouw, Mornay Visser, Ollie le Roux and Rob Kempson.