Habana at 13 for Canes?

February 20, 2012
Posted by Morné

DHL Stormers coach might look to spring a surprise for this weekend’s opening game against the Hurricanes at Newlands.

It emerged on Monday that first-choice centre, Juan de Jongh, will be unavailable for the Cape franchise’s opening game after failing to recover from a jaw injury he suffered in the warm-up game against the Lions.

Habana was surprisingly picked at 13 for the Stormers’ warm-up game against the Kings but ended up giving the coaching staff a lot of confidence should they suffer some injuries in this position.

It is a move forced upon the Stormers following the departures of Jaque Fourie (Japan), Johann Sadie (Bulls) and Tim Whitehead (Sharks) which has left the coaching staff low on depth at centre.

Habana last played any game of significance at centre against Ireland in the Springboks centenary test in 2006 which they lost.

The only other injury concern is that of Rynhardt Elstadt who suffered a ligament injury against the Kings – a call will be made on Wednesday on his fitness.

In good news for the Stormers, both Koster and Dewald Duvenhage have been declared fit for this weekend’s match.

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3 Comments

  1. DavidS Champion Supporter DavidS says:
    February 21st, 2012 at 9:11 am Reply to this comment

    I’m still ambivalent about this move.

    Habana is an outstanding player whose form has slumped at the Stormers. He started off his career as a 13 at the Lions and in 2004 sensationally made then incumbent Bok and 3N champions center pairing of Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry look ordinary in domestic rugby.

    I am sincerely hoping this works for the Stormers and Habana because he is a class act and his career has stalled in Cape Town.

    I do recollect that all his previous coaches from Jake White to Frans Ludeke to even Mr. gameplan and structure himself Heyneke Meyer always gave him freedom to do as he pleased and saw fit…

    I wonder if Alistair Coetzee does that?

  2. Aldo Aldo says:
    February 21st, 2012 at 9:12 am Reply to this comment

    Venter and sadie confirmed as the midfield combo against the sharks. Im very excited about that combo. I think venter is better than olivier.

    I read also that Sadie says he is now fitter, stronger and mentally better prepared than he ever was at the Stormers. Gatkruiper, lol.

  3. Aldo Aldo says:
    February 21st, 2012 at 9:18 am Reply to this comment

    Habana’s defence is good enough for a 13, and he has the pace to be brilliant at 13. What worries me is that he tends to break the defensive line and charge the ball carrier ahead of his defensive line. If he hits the guy ball and all, yeah its great his tackled behind the advantage line, but if the ball carrier passes the ball, then Habana has left a gap for the attacking team to exploit.

    If that makes sense, then you are a good boer english reader, and you understand my fears of habana at 13.

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