Fleck gambles on Du Toit at blindside
Reigning South African player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit will reprise the role of blindside flank against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has opted to play the secondrower out of position in the absence of captain Siya Kolisi, who is out of this match due to Springbok resting protocols.
Regular blindside flank Cobus Wiese‚ who has been impressive in his brief outings this season‚ is fit. But instead of starting the youngster‚ Fleck has asked Du Toit to fulfil a role with which he is familiar‚ even if not entirely comfortable.
“With Siya out we needed a big ball carrier and with the setpiece threat the Crusaders bring‚ Pieter-Steph answers a few questions for us in that role‚” Fleck said from Auckland where the team are based.
“The Crusaders are a direct side and we struggled with momentum against the Lions last week‚ so hopefully PieterSteph can bring something.
“I don’t see it as a risky selection. The Crusaders present certain threats and we need to counter them.
“We had a long selection meeting, but with Cobus coming back from injury‚ we needed to get the balance of the loose trio right for this game and we think we have.
“Siya had to be rested by next week‚ so we chose to do it now. He stayed behind in SA and spent a bit more time with his family. He will be in New Zealand on Saturday.
“We want a full-strength side next week against the Highlanders, so we chose to do it this way,” said Fleck.
In-form fullback SP Marais will also miss the match with a groin strain‚ which means Dillyn Leyds moves from wing to fullback‚ allowing Springbok Bjorn Basson to start on the left wing.
Dewaldt Duvenage‚ who missed last week’s 29-16 loss to the Lions due to rotation‚ starts at scrumhalf, with Jano Vermaak slipping down to the bench.
“It is a tactical decision to start with Dewaldt‚” Fleck said. “With SP out we needed another left-footed kicker in the team.
“Both scrumhalves are playing exceptionally well‚ but we will need to compensate for SP’s left foot.”
As if things could not get any worse for the Bulls‚ flyhalf Handré Pollard suffered a freak accident at training on Thursday and will be out for eight to 10 weeks.
Pollard suffered an ankle (syndesmosis) injury and will require surgery.
Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg would undergo surgery on Friday and miss three months of action after suffering a ligament tear in his knee, his team said on Thursday. “He has a lateral collateral ligament tear and posterolateral corner injury,” his franchise said. /
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