McKeever aims to put Stormers back on map

THE Stormers will travel to Kimberley to take on the Griquas in the Franchise Cup on Tuesday, amid possible off-the-field changes coming to the team's provincial governing body, Western Province Rugby Union.

Following years of financial insecurity, with debts amounting to £2.5m, the WPRU could be set to announce its new chief executive over a year on from when Paul Zacks vacated the position.

In that time South African rivals Sharks have secured a landmark takeover with US consortium MVM Holdings, who had held talks with Western Province, while the Bulls have been central to a number of South African players – Duane Vermeulen, Nizaam Carr and Arno Botha, to name a few – returning home from overseas stints.

A new partnership that is in the works between WPRU and Stade Francais in the Top 14 could be the start of the Stormers' turnaround, with the man at the centre of those negotiations believed to be interested in the top position at the union.

Tony McKeever, who previously held the CEO position at Southern Kings, has said he would ‘love to put the Stormers on a trajectory with their move to Europe' and is believed to have already held talks with potential sponsors.

The Stormers are under pressure to allay concerns over their capabilities to hold onto the best of their homegrown talent after losing Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to the Sharks.

Coach Robbie Fleck has made only two changes to the side which fell to a 34-33 a defeat against the Cheetahs last week at Cape Town Stadium.

Both changes concern the back three as Sergeal Peterson slots in at fullback in place of the injured Tristan Leyds, while Sihle Njezula is given his chance to impress on the right wing ahead of Edwill van der Merwe.

The Lions will travel to Eastern Province Elephants on Wednesday with the mood in the camp dampened by the news that EW Viljoen, formerly of Leicester Tigers, and Roelof Smith will both be out of action for a minimum of three weeks.

The duo sustained knee injuries in the 32-28 victory over the Pumas in their opening match. Centre Viljoen is expected to be out for three weeks, but the prognosis for flanker Smit could extend beyond that time frame after he was confirmed to have a Grade Two MCL tear in his left knee.

Elsewhere in the midweek Franchise Cup action, Currie Cup winners Bulls will head to the Pumas on Tuesday while losing finalists Sharks take on the Cheetahs at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.