Super Rugby: Williams to make first start for DHL Stormers

Published 22 April 2014 | By Foreignerforbokcoach

DHL StormersDHL Western Province Vodacom Cup star Devon Williams will make his first start for the DHL Stormers when the team travels to Bloemfontein to take on the Cheetahs in Super Rugby action on Saturday (kick-off 17:05 SA Time).

Stormers Media Release

Williams made his debut off the bench in last weekend’s 18-3 win over the Lions, but he will start in the No.11 jersey this week in the absence of Sailosi Tagicakibau who has not shaken off a sternum injury.

The 22-year-old Williams, a product of Paarl Boys’ High, was part of the cup-winning DHL Western Province Under-21 team last year, whilst he is also the top try-scorer in the 2014 Vodacom Cup with nine tries in just six games.

Williams and fullback Jaco Taute are the new faces in the starting line-up, with Peter Grant moving back into the No.10 shirt in the absence of Demetri Catrakilis (broken nose), but prop Oliver Kebble, flank Schalk Burger, flyhalf Kurt Coleman and wing Kobus van Wyk have all been named on the bench this week.

Kebble (knee), Burger (quad) and Van Wyk (abductor muscle) are all back to full fitness this week, but hooker Scarra Ntubeni (calf muscle) and winger Cheslin Kolbe (knee) are still another week away at this stage.

Looking ahead to Saturday, DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told www.iamastormer.com: “We’re expecting a physical battle against a Cheetahs team that is always tough to play against in Bloemfontein.

“The Cheetahs are just behind us on the log, with one win and a draw, so both teams will be desperate to come away with a victory in our second all-South African derby in the space of just a week.”

 

DHL Stormers team: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11 Devon Williams (On starting debut), 10 Peter Grant, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Kobus van Wyk.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

37 Responses to Super Rugby: Williams to make first start for DHL Stormers

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  • 31

    Pietman on 23 April 2014 at 4:54 pm

    At least this Williams kid is in the team on merit.
    I am glad he made it before Fikile/Hoskins start introducing their quota system next month as reported in today’s News24.
    A young star like Devon will therefore not have to suffer the embarrassment and humiliation of being branded a ‘quota player’.

  • 32

    Pietman on 23 April 2014 at 4:58 pm

    And good afternoon all!
    I don’t blog much during the week nowdadays, but I still read your comments daily.

  • 33

    ufo on 23 April 2014 at 4:58 pm

    @ nortierd:

    Wink

    @ Pietman:

    For sure Pietman… no doubt he’s there on merit… as will be spared the indignity of any quota stigma…

    But I just believe it’s a shameful way to treat another young star in the making… and lose him to another province…

  • 34

    ufo on 23 April 2014 at 4:59 pm

    AND will be spared…

    😳

  • 35

    Pietman on 23 April 2014 at 5:06 pm

    @ ufo:
    Have you read that nonsense on News 24?
    Hoskins claims he did a study for his MBA on ‘quotas’ in sport.
    Perhaps he should thesis to the NBA and see how many white players will enter major league basketball in the USA based on the ‘Hoskins theory’…

  • 36

    Pietman on 23 April 2014 at 5:08 pm

    @ Pietman:
    “…should send…” , hello Puma Overjoy

  • 37

    Stormersboy on 23 April 2014 at 6:43 pm

    If we bring in quotas it will spell the end of SA as a major Rugby nation. Massive player exodus, the likes of which we will never recover from.

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