Stegmann leads race for Brüssow's spot
by JJ Harmse 11 March 2010, 23:53
The vacancy left in the Springbok team by the injury to Heinrich Brüssow will shift the spotlight to possible successors.
After two productive years as fetching flank, the Bulls’ Deon Stegmann is definitely in the race to take over the jersey from his former school- and teammate.
In fact, he won his duel with his former Grey College class mate when the Bulls and Cheetahs played in the opening round of the Super 14. After that he also impressed against the Brumbies.
Coach Frans Ludeke gave Derick Kuün game time against the Waratahs and in terms of an earlier agreement Kuün will again start against the Highlanders at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Stegmann set to come off the bench.
Kuün was impressive in his first game as fetching flank in two years and will blow down Stegmann’s neck as he gains confidence in the position. However, Stegmann definitely leads the national race.
“Our team is happy with the rotation policy and everyone has bought in. Everybody understands that the team comes first,” said Ludeke.
“Steggies is definitely in the picture, but the race for Brüssow’s place will be run over the next few months.”
The Highlanders have omitted loose forward Adam Thomson and flyhalf Michael Hobbs after they broke team rules.
Hobbs has been replaced by Mat Berquist and Thomson by Tim Boys.
