Pietersen weighs up midfield shift for Stormers rematch

IT MAY have been just a throwaway line, but when JP Pietersen said his centres might end up on the flanks in the return match against the Stormers, it was not as far-fetched as you might think, as the coach tackles a loose forward crisis.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Andre Esterhuizen, we know, is an accomplished hybrid centre-cum-flank for the Springboks, while the strapping Hooker certainly has the physical attributes to one day follow in the footsteps of his midfield partner.

For Pietersen and the Sharks, the epic defeat of the Stormers in Cape Town came at a heavy loose forward cost - Manu Tshituka was injured in the 21st minute, Phepsi Buthelezi, who had a brilliant first half, went down 10 minutes into the second period, and replacement flank Siya Kolisi limped off with 10 minutes to go in the 30-19 win.

“I must just go check if I’ve got players left. I lost all three loose forwards, so I am wondering who will be available for the Durban game,’ Pietersen said.