Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)

FOR THE STORMERS

- Zaahier Adams

The former Bishops prodigy Dillyn Leyds is so talented that it has sometimes counted against him.

Due to his versatilit­y, Leyds often has to fill all emergency holes in the Stormers’ backline, with the 26-year-old even running out at No 10 last season against the Crusaders in Christchur­ch. However, even for all his skills out wide on the wing, he has been slotted in his most influentia­l position – fullback – this weekend. It allows Leyds to counter from the back in space if the Bulls kick on him as expected, while also handing him the freedom to enter the line at will.

Equally, he is adept at handling the high balls that are set to rain down on him. Already there is talk Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is looking to use pivot Damian Willemse in the No 15 jumper going forward this season, but Leyds is the man in possession at the moment, and if he can terrorise the Bulls with his silky skills today at Loftus, it may just prompt Fleck to rethink his plans. Leyds possesses that much-sought after “X-Factor”.

And although he played on the wing that day against the Chiefs, who can forget his miraculous pass to SP Marais a couple of years ago?

If he can reproduce a bit of that magic in the Bulls’ kraal, the Stormers will be the ones smiling upon their return to Cape Town.

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