For Viljoen, it’s all about being the best he can be
STORMERS outside centre EW Viljoen has had quite a debut Super Rugby season, and now he’s set on further improving his game as he believes no player can ever be a “10 out of 10.”
The former Junior Springbok, who featured at the 2015 World Rugby Under20 Championship for then-coach Dawie Theron’s team, has started in all but one game for the Stormers this season, and he is set on improving his game to tighten his grip on the first-choice No 13 spot.
“I’m very lucky and very humbled to have been injury free and I definitely want to be first choice, that’s something I’m working towards – to stay first choice,” Viljoen said. “There’s always stuff in my game I can work on, I don’t believe it’s ever 10 out of 10 or 100 percent for any player. There’s always things you can work on, and I’m working on a lot of things to be the best I can be for the team.”
And if the 22-year-old’s form this season, especially the form he showed in the first few rounds, improves, we’re in for some exciting displays from the midfielder. At the start of the competition, the Stormers put up a complete performance to get their Super Rugby campaign off to the best possible start at Newlands when they beat the Bulls 37-24.
During that game, Robbie Fleck’s side dominated the Bulls in every aspect of the game, but it was their attacking prowess that was the most impressive factor in the derby. Viljoen, who made his Super Rugby bow at Newlands that night, was instrumental in that fine attacking production. But he didn’t just contribute. He was a standout. And his strong passing game, his vision and his skill set proved a perfect fit in an on-fire Stormers backline.
And now, understandably, Viljoen wants to close the chapter on his debut season in the same way he opened it – with a complete team performance.
“It’s quite weird because my first game was against the Bulls and now the last pool-stage game is also against the Bulls. It’s quite nice to start your Super Rugby season that way. And to end it in that way will also be good,” Viljoen said.
The Stormers midfielder was also looking forward to the possibility of going up against Springbok centres Jan Serfontein and Jesse Kriel when they travel to Pretoria.
“It’s something I’m definitely looking forward to, but I’ll approach this game the same way I’ve approached all the others in the competition. I’m definitely looking forward to playing against Jesse and Jan if they do play, I’ve got a lot of respect for them. They’re some of the best centres in the world,” Viljoen said.
It would be fair to assume that the Bulls wouldn’t mind closing the chapter on what has been a dismal season for them, but Viljoen was expecting a “tough battle” in the classical North-South derby.
“It is a South African derby and playing against them is always tough. When they play well as a team they can beat any team they want to. And that’s something we’re looking forward to, it’s definitely going to be a tough battle,” Viljoen said.