RUGBY NEWS - There’s a reason Stormers coach Robbie Fleck used a youthful group of forwards in their first warm-up match of 2018 this past weekend … and it wasn’t because of lowly opposition in South Western Districts.
The Capetonians are on a bit of a slippery slope going into their Super Rugby campaign.
Not only will they start six of their first eight games away from home, they’ll do so without two experienced men in lock Eben Etzebeth and prop Frans Malherbe.
That’s no laughing matter when it’s considered they face the Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders from week two.
While there is still depth available, any mores injuries would force the Stormers to delve deeper.
“It was pretty much an U-21 pack, which shows that we are building some good depth at the moment. It was a good opportunity for these youngsters to stake a claim and I think they all did pretty well,” said Fleck after a massive 77-0 win in George.
“In the last 10 or 15 minutes we brought (more of our) youngsters on and some of them are fresh out of school, so there are going to be some mistakes but there is obviously some real talent that is coming through.”
