Danny
17-02-2005, 10:00 AM
David Britz has tested positive to a banned substance and will await the results of his B sample. Not looking good for the Stormer's hooker.
Britz drug result leaves Stormers short on hookers
By Herbert Pretorius
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Rugby Heaven
Stormers coach Gert Smal is going to take stock of all the hookers available after it became known that David Britz has tested positive for a banned substance.
Smal said on his return from England where his side beat the London Wasps over the weekend: "I do not have a specific player in mind. I will take stock and then consider all my options."
Britz was withdrawn from the Stormers' tour squad at the last minute and is waiting for the outcome of his B sample (a second sample of the urine initially used for the test).
If the B sample is also positive, the 23-year-old player will appear before a SA Rugby disciplinary hearing and he could be banned for two years.
Even though two top class hookers Pieter Dixon and Hanyani Shimange are contracted by the Stormers, Smal cannot start the Super 12 series without a third hooker, because there is a ruling that two hookers have to be included in the 22-man squad.
The Stormers coach has surprised everyone in the past by asking other provinces to loan him a player. It is therefore not a given that he will stick to his own region, which comprises Western Province, Boland and South-Western Districts.
Smal also has a problem at wing and flyhalf as he prepares for the Stormers' Super 12 opener against the Sharks at Newlands on February 25.
The speedster Tonderai Chavhanga suffered light concussion against Wasps while flyhalf Chris Rossouw is nursing a calf muscle injury.
Britz drug result leaves Stormers short on hookers
By Herbert Pretorius
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Rugby Heaven
Stormers coach Gert Smal is going to take stock of all the hookers available after it became known that David Britz has tested positive for a banned substance.
Smal said on his return from England where his side beat the London Wasps over the weekend: "I do not have a specific player in mind. I will take stock and then consider all my options."
Britz was withdrawn from the Stormers' tour squad at the last minute and is waiting for the outcome of his B sample (a second sample of the urine initially used for the test).
If the B sample is also positive, the 23-year-old player will appear before a SA Rugby disciplinary hearing and he could be banned for two years.
Even though two top class hookers Pieter Dixon and Hanyani Shimange are contracted by the Stormers, Smal cannot start the Super 12 series without a third hooker, because there is a ruling that two hookers have to be included in the 22-man squad.
The Stormers coach has surprised everyone in the past by asking other provinces to loan him a player. It is therefore not a given that he will stick to his own region, which comprises Western Province, Boland and South-Western Districts.
Smal also has a problem at wing and flyhalf as he prepares for the Stormers' Super 12 opener against the Sharks at Newlands on February 25.
The speedster Tonderai Chavhanga suffered light concussion against Wasps while flyhalf Chris Rossouw is nursing a calf muscle injury.