More game-time boosting Sithole
STORMERS: CONSIDERS HIMSELF A ‘PIECE IN THE PUZZLE’
Stormers prop Sti Sithole is happy to be back where it all started and performing at the highest level for his franchise in this season’s United Rugby Championship (URC).
Sithole will play off the bench in today’s derby against the Sharks in Durban (5.05pm) as the forward pack look to continue the dominance they have built up with some big performances so far this season.
Sithole was born in Durban and played his youth rugby there, before moving to Cape Town and starting his senior career with Western Province and the Stormers back in 2014.
He then moved to the Southern Kings and onto the Lions, where he spent close to seven years before leaving the Highveld side last year to return to the Cape.
“The environment (at the Stormers) is excellent. There is a great high-performance culture as well. It’s been tough but I’m enjoying this chapter,” said Sithole earlier in the week.
“Dobbo (coach John Dobson) has always been big on team culture so I am happy to have fitted (back) in quite nicely over the past few months. It’s been lovely to be back.
“Our scrum is performing. But I am just a piece in the puzzle. It is a collective effort and we have been getting good reward for that.
“Playing regularly does wonders for my confidence in a team and environment like this. It is great to get in a couple of starts, especially at a special stadium like the Cape Town stadium. The atmosphere is special so it is a privilege to run out there.”
This weekend the Stormers are up against a desperate Sharks team who have struggled in the URC this season with just one win from their nine games so far.
However, the Durban side pushed them to the maximum in their late December clash in Cape Town, with the Stormers just sneaking home 16-15. The Sharks will be eager to overturn that result back at home at Kings Park.
“I’m sure they will look at that game and look at where they got hurt the most. They will come with some extra vengeance there.
We’re aware of that and we’ll also come with a bit of fire,” admitted Sithole about the match.
Meanwhile, the Stormers welcome back Evan Roos, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Salmaan Moerat from injury. Frans Malherbe misses out, while at No 10 Jurie Matthee replaces Manie Libbok, who is being rested.
The side will again be captained by prop Neethling Fouche and centre Wandisile Simelane is in line to make his Stormers debut from the bench.