Let's play! Damian de Allende limbers up during Stormers training yesterday. He is set to come off the bench tomorrow for his first taste of Super Rugby this year. Let's play! Damian de Allende limbers up during Stormers training yesterday. He is set to come off the bench tomorrow for his first taste of Super Rugby this year.
John Goliath
CHESLIN KOLBE playing at flyhalf for the Stormers is a mouth-watering prospect for coach Robbie Fleck. And, I would suggest, the Newlands faithful.
We may see Kolbe play at flyhalf at some stage for the Stormers during tomorrow’s Super Rugby clash against the Sunwolves at Newlands. Youngster Jean-Luc du Plessis will start at No 10 for the Stormers in the absence of the injured Kurt Coleman, but Fleck said yesterday that Kolbe will also provide cover at flyhalf, after they decided to give former SA Under-21 player Brandon Thomson a run with the Western Province Currie Cup side against the Blue Bulls tomorrow.
Kolbe has come in at first receiver a lot over the last few years, and he has caused chaos from set moves when he runs onto the ball at pace and with a bit of space.
“Cheslin has done a bit of playmaking stuff for the Sevens (side), and as a fullback he comes in as a playmaker and first receiver a lot. He has the passing game and the kicking game, he has magic feet and speed, I think he could be a real threat in that position and I am excited about it,” Fleck said yesterday.
Du Plessis, though, is the man in possession of that jersey, and barring injury, a nightmare performance or the Stormers going up by 30 points against the Sunwolves, he should complete the full 80 minutes.
It’s a pity about Coleman’s injury, as he was just taking charge as the general of the team. His confidence was as high as it has ever been. But now Du Plessis has a chance to show that he can deliver on the promise he showed at age-group level.
Obviously there will be pressure on him, especially also because he is the son of Carel du Plessis. But great players tend to relish these situations.
“Unfortunately Kurt has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and we are going to have to look at alternatives,” Fleck said.
“I have spoken a lot about Jean-Luc this year, and I rate him highly. He is the sort of player who likes to take charge and organise, and that is what we need from a flyhalf.
“Jean-Luc had an 88 percent goalkicking record for me at Under-21 level last year. Obviously there might be more pressure at Super Rugby level, but he has always embraced pressure and I think he will do well.
“He wasn’t far away from making a start even before Kurt was injured. Brandon Thomson also played for me last year and also at national age-group level, but we are going to let him play for WP on Friday as he hasn’t been part of our squad for the past month. He will be joining us from Monday.”
Huw Jones was chosen as one of the three backline players on the bench, along with Springbok centre Damian de Allende and scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, who comes into the team after the injury to Nic Groom. Louis Schreuder will start in the No 9 jersey.
So, while Kolbe is going to cover flyhalf, Jones, who has played centre and wing for the Stormers in the past, will now have to cover fullback as well.
“Apart from the injuries to Robert du Preez and Kurt, we also have an injury to Dillyn Leyds, who was going to be flyhalf cover too, so we are having to dig deep,” Fleck said.
“However, when I got my first opportunity at Super Rugby level as a player it was when Dick Muir dropped out with injury back in the 1990s, and Jean de Villiers got his first chance when I was injured.”
Groom misses the game because of swollen knee, but should be available for next week’s match against the Lions in Johannesburg. However, big lock Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out for between four and six weeks.
“Louis has actually been in outstanding form this season. I think he looked at the number of scrumhalves we have on our books and decided to put in a big effort and play with more freedom, and it is paying off,” Fleck said.
“Groomy was good for us defensively against the Jaguares, but Louis will definitely bring something to our attack.”
STORMERS TEAM FOR SUNWOLVES
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Bench:16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Damian de Allende.