Beleaguered Stormers have a pivot problem

Rudolph Jacobs

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck believes he has to cast his net wider in the midst of a minor flyhalf crisis.

The Stormers resume their Super Rugby duties on Friday against the Blues having enjoyed a bye last week following their disastrous tour of New Zealand.

With three of their top flyhalves, Robert du Preez, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Kurt Coleman out injured and with Damian Wil- lemse on national Under-20 duty, Fleck said he has a few options available to him.

One of them is recalling veteran Joe Pietersen (right) who has been playing for the Cheetahs, Sharks and several overseas clubs since his heyday in Cape Town. He has been training with the Stormers the last couple of weeks following his Japan club enjoying their off-season now.

When Du Preez injured his chest in their last game against the Hurricanes, Leyds took over at flyhalf and he is probably the favourite, especially now that Seabelo Senatla is ready to return to the wing.

“Dillyn Leyds, Brandon Thomson and Joe Pietersen are all in line to play this weekend because of the injuries we have suffered in the flyhalf position,” said Fleck.

Senatla, along with Springbok centres Damian de Allende and Juan de Jongh, are all in line to return to the Stormers line-up after returning to full training last week, according to Fleck.

Although the Stormers have suffered four straight defeats after starting their campaign with six straight wins, Fleck said he still believes in his abilities as a coach and hasn’t lost confidence in himself or his team.

The Stormers only have this weekend’s Blues game at home and next weekend’s away game to the Sharks in Durban to get back on track before the June international window arrives.

Their first game after the break on July 1 is an away game to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, with the Super Rugby play-offs scheduled for July 21.