Dillyn hopes his Bok form will continue for Stormers
STORMERS utility back Dillyn Leyds says he won’t be focused on a “one-on-one” battle with fellow new Springbok Raymond Rhule when the Stormers take on the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Rhule started on the right wing in all three of the Springboks’ matches against France, while Leyds came on as a replacement late in the last few minutes of the Boks’ 3-0 series whitewash over the French.
But despite many expecting a Leyds vs Rhule contest this weekend, Leyds said that he wasn’t going to focus on outperforming or keeping Rhule in check when the teams meet.
“It’s not really a one-on-one battle (with Rhule) because there are 14 other players on the field that we need to look after,” Leyds said at the team’s training base in Bellville earlier this week.
“We need to make sure we are well prepared to deal with them. It’s always been a difficult game for us and it will be again this weekend.”
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck also said the he knows the galvanising effect earning your first Springbok cap can have, and he knows it all too well.
As a former Bok centre, who’s been there and done that, who can argue with him?
Fleck was making a direct reference to Leyds, and was confident the 24-year-old’ Bok experience would not only boost his confidence, but the Stormers’ firepower as well.
“I know what it’s like when you come back to your union after earning a Springbok cap. You want to continue performing and giving your best for your franchise,” Fleck said.
And if the Leyds’ pre-Test form is anything to go by, then his “best” is certainly something to get excited about.
Before the international break, Leyds was on fire. He was a standout in a team that produced top performances during the first few rounds of Super Rugby, and even when he was thrown in at the deep end on their tour to New Zealand and had to step into the flyhalf position left vacant by injury, he kept his composure.
And now Leyds says that his inclusion in Allister Coetzee’s group given him even more of a “lift”.
“Obviously being part of the Springbok set-up for the first time was pretty special and it has given me a lift. It’s good to have come away with a series win‚ but that is done now‚ and we move on.”
So if his Springbok call-up will help him build on his already-impressive form, then things can only go better for the 24-yearold.
Leyds also said that working with Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith in the Bok camp might help in terms of their preparation to take on the Cheetahs, but he also knows that they are a different side altogether.
“Having worked with Franco‚ you do get to understand the feel he has for the game and how he wants to play,” he said.
“But it will be a little different with the Cheetahs with the type of players they have. It’s also one thing knowing what they might do‚ but another thing to try and stop it. So we will have to do our homework again and make sure we’re on top of everything.”