Dillyn’s ‘wow’ moment in his ‘wow’ comeback season
Bok call-up the cherry on top as utility back shines on Super Rugby stage
I WOULDN’T blame you for thinking that that try-creating offload against the Chiefs was the highlight of Dillyn Leyds’ Super Rugby season. After all, it was simply spectacular.
But actually, the Stormers’ season-opening win against the Bulls was the highlight of his season. And now the talented utility back has achieved a milestone that outshines the victorious moment over their old foes at Newlands and even that offload: his Springbok call-up. And who can say he doesn’t deserve it? You see, Leyds had some lost time to make up for this season. And he made up for it in a resounding way.
In Buenos Aires early last season, Leyds sustained a knee injury that kept him out for the season. But against the Bulls in February, he announced his return with a standout performance. And he didn’t just do it once. He was at his absolute best week in and week out during the first six rounds, and even when asked to take over at No 10, he has kept his composure.
But before Leyds’ quite eventful season took off, there was that first game against the Bulls... and the former Ikey Tiger added that the Newlands faithful certainly made the occasion even more special.
“The first game against the Bulls (was the highlight). I’d obviously come back after a big injury and I thought I’d done quite well during the pre-season, so just to be back at Newlands for that first game was great. And the packed stadium and the way we played as well.”
“We put a lot of emphasis on our conditioning and our skills during the pre-season, so to get a result like that is one of the Leyds’ offload to fullback SP Marais in their big win over the Chiefs was great, so I guess the fact that he couldn’t share exactly what went through his head is completely understandable.
But he shared enough when he said that “wow” was the first thought that came to mind. And what a ‘wow’ moment it was.
“Just ‘wow’… I don’t think I can sum it up,” a smiling Leyds said.
“But when I threw the ball I saw the catch but I didn’t really look at him because I knew he was going to score as he only had like 20 metres to run. So I was quite pumped up and I ran towards the crowd. Nine times out of 10 when you do something like that it doesn’t work, and that did.”
This season’s other wow-moment for the 24-year-old was of course his call-up to Allister Coetzee’s 31-man Springbok squad for the Test series against France, and although the Bishops product had been invited to two of the three Bok training camps, he says that his call-up was an unexpected honour.
“To get that first cap would be a massive honour and a great achievement. Last week I had dinner with my family and they were so happy for me. That was a special moment for me. When I got home and I greeted my dad he struggled to get his words out and we both just started crying.”
“On Tuesday it was all I could think about. I didn’t know what should happen, I didn’t know how to feel.”
Another thing that has pleased Leyds this season was the new attacking path that Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has taken the team on. “The word ‘joy’ pretty much sums it up. For years there’s been a big emphasis put on the Stormers’ defence, and we’re working hard and trying different things on defence as well as on attack. But I think the big thing is we’ve just tried to bring fun and enjoyment into our game,” Leyds said.
“For example on Thursdays we have like a five or 10-minute NFL game against each other. So it’s just about learning and having fun. So that’s one of the great things – we started enjoying ourselves on the field.”
So given the fact that flyhalf was his preferred position when he was younger, one would think that 2012 Junior World Championship-winner would name a legendary (or popular) pivot when asked about his idol. Not Leyds.
Okay, to be fair, he did mention that he went through a Quade Cooper phase. But it was former Springbok centre Jean de Villiers that stood out amongst the Bok crop to become his childhood idol.
“When I was still playing flyhalf… my friends used to joke about it because I used to do everything Quade Cooper used to do. But... if we had to talk about SA players – I would say Jean de Villiers,” Leyds said.
Leyds also recalled a special piece of advice that the former Springbok captain shared with him as he was getting ready to run out at flyhalf against the Blues.
“I’ve never played with him, I’ve only been on the training field with him, but watching him play… he’s an unbelievable person. For example before the game against the Blues... he said ‘good luck, and enjoy it. Don’t forget… you’re playing rugby. Don’t worry too much about the number on your back’.”
“So that was nice – for a guy like (him) to say that, a player who’s got 100 Test caps and who’s an unbelievable legend of the game. He’s a true inspiration.”
And now, going into the Test series, Dillyn Leyds has an opportunity to not only gain some valuable Test experience, but also to lay the foundation for what could become another inspiring Springbok career. Just like that of his idol Jean de Villiers.