In Cape TIT’S almost unfair on the Stormers’ Rob du Preez that his return to the team coincides with the Stormers’ biggest game of the season‚ but he also has nothing to lose.
Du Preez‚ 22‚ will start at flyhalf against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby quarterfinal at Newlands for only his fourth cap at this level and his first since round two‚ 18 weeks ago.
On his young shoulders rests a huge part of the Stormers’ hopes of causing an upset and progressing to the semifinals if they can overcome the two-time champions.
Coming the other way is decorated All Black number 10 Aaron Cruden and in front of both flyhalves are two combatant and powerful packs. The work in the engine-room will define the level of impact from the respective playmakers.
A damp field‚ combined with a need to play good territory and a smart tactical game means that Du Preez above all others in the Stormers lineup‚ has to be accurate‚ composed and innovative in his play.
He’s shown glimpses of those traits but inexperience and questionable temperament under pressure‚ evidenced in his disappointing Currie Cup final last year‚ are blots against him.
There is nothing Du Preez can do about his inexperience but he will have to show that he has learnt from this year’s Currie Cup disappointment and is a better player for it.
A 23-point haul against the Bulls in the opening Super Rugby game of the campaign suggested that Du Preez had turned the corner but then a knee injury in round two against the Cheetahs curbed his season.
He has the perfect chance to prove that coach Robbi Fleck decision to start him is the right one and it starts with accurate tactical kicking because the aerial duel will be a key.
Poor kicking on Chiefs fullback Damien McKenzie will end in tears at some stage and even good kicks will need precise chase lines and hardworking defence from tight forwards to make them count.
But there are numerous other subplots to the occasion.
Will Stormers locks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth continue to terrorise opposition in the lineout?
And will the Stormers pack as a whole dominate their opponents?
Captain Schalk Burger was not so quick to simplify the match to that.
“A lot has been said about our pack‚ but they got a good pack‚” said Burger.
“On the day‚ whoever plays with the right intensity and whoever is in the right frame of mind‚ they can put pressure on the other. That is what determines these games.”
The selection of Stephen Donald at inside centre by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie indicates that the visitors are set on using the boot to pin the Stormers back.
After collecting 15 points in their last three matches – even if it was against the tournament’s basement dwellers – has given the Stormers belief and confidence.
And those are two invaluable ingredients going into a knockout match.
Gunshooter leads Cape firestorm
Du Preez‚ 22‚ will start at flyhalf against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby quarterfinal at Newlands for only his fourth cap at this level and his first since round two‚ 18 weeks ago.
On his young shoulders rests a huge part of the Stormers’ hopes of causing an upset and progressing to the semifinals if they can overcome the two-time champions.
Coming the other way is decorated All Black number 10 Aaron Cruden and in front of both flyhalves are two combatant and powerful packs. The work in the engine-room will define the level of impact from the respective playmakers.
A damp field‚ combined with a need to play good territory and a smart tactical game means that Du Preez above all others in the Stormers lineup‚ has to be accurate‚ composed and innovative in his play.
He’s shown glimpses of those traits but inexperience and questionable temperament under pressure‚ evidenced in his disappointing Currie Cup final last year‚ are blots against him.
There is nothing Du Preez can do about his inexperience but he will have to show that he has learnt from this year’s Currie Cup disappointment and is a better player for it.
A 23-point haul against the Bulls in the opening Super Rugby game of the campaign suggested that Du Preez had turned the corner but then a knee injury in round two against the Cheetahs curbed his season.
He has the perfect chance to prove that coach Robbi Fleck decision to start him is the right one and it starts with accurate tactical kicking because the aerial duel will be a key.
Poor kicking on Chiefs fullback Damien McKenzie will end in tears at some stage and even good kicks will need precise chase lines and hardworking defence from tight forwards to make them count.
But there are numerous other subplots to the occasion.
Will Stormers locks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth continue to terrorise opposition in the lineout?
And will the Stormers pack as a whole dominate their opponents?
Captain Schalk Burger was not so quick to simplify the match to that.
“A lot has been said about our pack‚ but they got a good pack‚” said Burger.
“On the day‚ whoever plays with the right intensity and whoever is in the right frame of mind‚ they can put pressure on the other. That is what determines these games.”
The selection of Stephen Donald at inside centre by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie indicates that the visitors are set on using the boot to pin the Stormers back.
After collecting 15 points in their last three matches – even if it was against the tournament’s basement dwellers – has given the Stormers belief and confidence.
And those are two invaluable ingredients going into a knockout match.
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