There were no big surprises in the final 34-man Stormers squad – a squad that looks very well balanced with the additional Lions players in it.
The 2012 conference winners were always going to announce a trophy challenging final squad, and in black and white it is just that, showing the required depth in every position and complemented perfectly by the arrival of the four Lions players, Pat Cilliers, Michael Rhodes, Jaco Taute and Elton Jantjies.
Tighthead prop is a problem position in South Africa, so the arrival of Springbok Cilliers, who can play both sides, is perhaps the key signing. Brok Harris does a job, but is not the block of granite you want your tighthead to be, while Frans Malherbe is still learning his trade.
Injured players Tiaan Liebenberg (back), Scarra Ntubeni (shoulder) and Eben Etzebeth (ankle) were all named in the Stormers squad even though they will miss the opening rounds of action.
The Stormers start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Bulls on Friday, February 22.
Stormers squad for 2013:
1. Gio Aplon (Utility back)
2. Don Armand (Flank/lock)
3. Andries Bekker (Lock)
4. Martin Bezuidenhout (Hooker)
5. Ruan Botha (Lock)
6. Schalk Burger (Loose forward – captain)
7. Deon Carstens (Prop)
8. Nizaam Carr (Loose forward)
9. Pat Cilliers (Prop)
10. Kurt Coleman (Flyhalf)
11. Damian de Allende (Centre/wing)
12. Juan de Jongh (Centre)
13. Jean de Villiers (Centre)
14. Dewaldt Duvenage (Scrumhalf)
15. Eben Etzebeth (Lock)
16. Rynhardt Elstadt (Flank/lock)
17. Deon Fourie (Hooker/flank)
18. Peter Grant (Flyhalf)
19. Nic Groom (Scrumhalf)
20. Brok Harris (Prop)
21. Bryan Habana (Wing)
22. Elton Jantjies (Flyhalf)
23. Steven Kitshoff (Prop)
24. Siya Kolisi (Flank)
25. Tiaan Liebenberg (Hooker)
26. Frans Malherbe (Prop)
27. Scarra Ntubeni (Hooker)
28. Joe Pietersen (Utility back)
29. Michael Rhodes (Flank/lock)
30. De Kock Steenkamp (Lock)
31. Louis Schreuder (Scrumhalf)
32. Jaco Taute (Fullback/centre)
33. Gerhard van den Heever (Wing)
34. Duane Vermeulen (No.8)
SANZAR regulations stipulate that all Super Rugby franchises have to name a registered group of players ahead of the season.
