Fleck expects an even better version of Leyds for trip to Bloemfontein
AT THE first Stormers press conference after the international Test break, coach Robbie Fleck said that 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’s been there and done that, 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 series against France.
Fleck was confident Leyds’ Bok experience would not only boost his confidence, but the Stormers’ firepower as well. And on Leyds’ return to the Stormers after the Springboks’ 3-0 whitewash of the French, 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.”
And if the Leyds’ pre-Test form is anything to go by, then his “best” is certainly something to get excited about.
Before the international break, Leyds was on fire. He was a standout in a Stormers team that produced top performances during the first few rounds of Super Rugby, and even when he was thrown into the deep end on their tour to New Zealand and had to step into the flyhalf position left vacant by injury, he kept his composure.
And now Leyds says his inclusion in Allister Coetzee’s group 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.”
So if his Springbok call-up will help him build on his already-impressive form, then things can only go better for the 24-year-old.
We might not have seen as much of Leyds in a Springbok jersey as we’d have liked, but he certainly has a chance to show that maybe he deserved more of a chance in the green and gold when the Stormers go up against the Cheetahs and, of course, Leyds gets to go up against fellow new Springbok wing Raymond Rhule.
And as tempting as a oneone-one battle between Leyds and Rhule would be, the versatile back said 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 said that working with Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith in the Bok camp might help them in terms of their preparation, but he also knows that the Cheetahs are a different side altogether.
“Having worked with Franco‚ you do get to understand the feel he has for the game and how he wants to play,” he said.
“But it will be a little different with the Cheetahs with the type of players they have. It’s also one thing knowing what they might do‚ but another thing to try and stop it. So we will have to do our homework again and make sure we’re on top of everything.”