OUR STORMERS LOOSE TRIO FOR LOFTUS
THE STORMERS kick off their Super Rugby campaign with a big clash against the old foe, the Bulls, at the cauldron that is Loftus on Saturday. Here, we explain why we believe the loose trio for the Stormers should be Siya Kolisi at No 6, Pieter-Steph du Toit at No 7 and Sikhumbuzo Notshe at No 8.
SIYA KOLISI
Springbok and Stormers captain Siya Kolisi was in the news for all the wrong reasons this year. His comments to a writer in Japan created a storm on social media. Now he must probably be relieved that the talk can return to what he actually does on the green turf and between the white lines. But as the saying goes “what doesn’t kill you make you stronger” and Kolisi has hopefully learnt from that escapade and is ready to play with his heart on his sleeve again, like he has always done for his beloved Stormers. Equally, it’s a World Cup year and Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will need his skipper to be in form and playing good rugby when the national team assemble later this year. By his own admission, with arguably the most high-profile job in South Africa, alongside the presidency. He will want to raise his level of performance, and there is not better place to start in the Bulls kraal.
PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT
With strongman Eben Etzebeth only expected back in the second week of Super Rugby, Pieter-Steph du Toit is the undoubted enforcer of the Stormers pack. The current South African Rugby Player of the Year’s work-rate is immense, both on defence and attack. Du Toit makes numerous tackles, hitting rucks with gusto and is also adept with ball in hand. Managing his workload in a World Cup year will be a priority going forward, but he is ready to be unleashed on Saturday. Meanwhile, after a good Currie Cup season with Western Province last season, Jaco Coetzee, will provide adequate cover on the bench as he can pack down either at the back or side of the scrum.
SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE
There may still be some Stormers fans moping around that former captain Duane Vermeulen did not return to Newlands after his spell at Toulon, but with the Springbok No 8 joining archrivals, the Bulls, instead only adds further spice to an already captivating contest. Vermeulen will most likely face fellow Springbok Notshe. Although youngster Juarno Augustus had the better of a slightly-off-the-pace Vermuelen in the SuperHero clash at Cape Town Stadium a couple of weeks ago, Notshe should be the front-runner for a starting berth at Loftus. He has almost basketball-like handling skills and nifty footwork that would not be out of place on a ballroom dancing floor. Crucially, though, the former Wynberg Boys High School prodigy has added a great deal of physicality to his play after bulking up in the off-season, while he remains a major asset on the ground come turnover time. Augustus, meanwhile, is built for the physical stuff and is the closest the Stormers have to matching Vermeulen in helping his team get over the advantage line through big ball-carries. The former World Rugby Under-20 Player of the Year, though, is much more than just a bully, as he runs good lines off the flyhalf channel and is surprisingly quick for such a burly ballplayer. There’s no doubt that Augustus will be handed a start sometime during the Super Rugby season, but for such a high-profile opening game in the cauldron of Loftus Versveld, Fleck should call on Notshe.