Wednesday Round-Up
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Wednesday Round-Up
Hartley for England?: England forwards coach Graham Rowntree hasn’t ruled out a return for hooker Dylan Hartley during the Rugby World Cup. Hartley is currently serving a suspension that means he will miss the Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji. However England’s other hookers have not been entirely convincing during the warm-up matches thus far. "Look, the whole Dylan situation - it is what is. He is banned," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "He is unavailable so I have got to put my resources into the guys that are here and that just so happens to be a couple of young hookers in particular at the moment. Going forward, we never discount the possibility of Dylan coming in, if required, as long as he has served his ban. I trust Dylan. He played in the last game of the Six Nations for us. He is fit. I have been in touch with him regularly and he would be able to come in and slot in if we need him.”
Pieter-Steph du Toit to Western Province: Western Province have confirmed that Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit will be furthering his career with the Stormers and Western Province from November 1, 2015. Having recently announced the signings of props JC Janse van Rensburg and JP Smith, as well as capturing the signature of Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks, the confirmation of Du Toit's signing is a huge boost for both the Stormers and Western Province.
WP Director of Rugby Gert Smal commented: "We are excited that Pieter-Steph has decided to return (home) to the Cape, where he was born and raised, and so too is Cornal Hendricks - a tall, fast wing who is a proven performer at international level. JC (Janse van Rensburg) is an experienced loosehead prop with plenty top-level captaincy experience, so we believe all our signings will bolster us in key areas."
Du Toit, who recently turned 23, was a member of the triumphant SA Under-20 team of 2012, before making his Test debut for the Springboks in Cardiff in November 2013.
To date he has played four Tests, the most recent being against Argentina in Buenos Aires earlier this month when he featured as a replacement flank - adding versatility to his many attributes, which include physicality, mobility and fantastic line-out and aerial skills.
Du Toit, who recently turned 23, was a member of the triumphant SA Under-20 team of 2012, before making his Test debut for the Springboks in Cardiff in November 2013.
To date he has played four Tests, the most recent being against Argentina in Buenos Aires earlier this month when he featured as a replacement flank - adding versatility to his many attributes, which include physicality, mobility and fantastic line-out and aerial skills.
Dan H
