Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says they won’t continue their search for further loose forward reinforcements.
Sport24
The men from Cape Town have been laid low at loose forward with knee injuries ruling all of Schalk Burger, Nick Koster, Duane Vermeulen and Nizaam Carr out, prompting them to search for reinforcements abroad.
They did manage to secure the services of Canadian Jebb Sinclair, but were last week keen on making another signing after Carr was ruled out for the season against the Cheetahs.
It is reported that American loose forward Todd Clever, who formerly played for the Johannesburg-based Lions, was set to sign with the Cape franchise but apparent disagreement in the Western Province Rugby Union’s ranks prevented the deal from happening.
Last week’s attempts to lure Saracens’ Ernst Joubert proved fruitless, while they were also in contact with former Bull Danie Rossouw, who now plays in Japan.
But with Burger and Koster on the comeback trail, the Stormers have decided to rather tap into Western Province’s resources. WP won the Vodacom Cup for the first time in their history when they beat Griquas in the final in Kimberley on Friday.
Coetzee said Burger and Koster should be ready for the home game against the Lions on 30 June.
“We’ll put faith in the young men in the Western Province. The Vodacom Cup team did brilliantly.
“It’s only for the next two matches – against the Sharks and Bulls – where we’ll struggle with depth,” said Coetzee.
The Super Rugby tournament breaks for a few weeks in June when England take on the Springboks in a three-Test series, starting in Durban on 9 June.