Boks lead Leyds to lift his game

AT THE first Stormers press conference after the France Inbound Tour, coach Robbie Fleck said that the he knows the galvanising effect earning your first Springbok cap can have, and he knows it all too well.

And as a former Bok centre, who can argue with him?

Fleck was making a direct reference to Stormers utility back and new Springbok Dillyn Leyds, who got his first Springbok cap during the recent Test series.

Fleck was confident that Leyds’ Bok experience would not only boost the Stormers’ firepower.

Fleck said: “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.”

Before the international break, Leyds was on fire and has been a standout performer for the Stormers this season. He revealed yesterday that his inclusion in Allister Coetzee’s Bok group has 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.”

This weekend, when the Stormers go up against the Cheetahs, Leyds gets to go up against fellow, new Springbok wing Raymond Rhule.

And as tempting as a one-one-one battle between Leyds and Rhule would be, the versatile back revealed that he wasn’t going to focus on outperforming or keeping Rhule in check.

“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. “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.”

Leyds also explained that working with Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith in the Bok camp, might help the Cape -based side in terms of their preparation in taking on the Bloemfontein-based side, but he also insitsed that the Cheetahs approach was altogether different to that of the Boks.