Key ingredients that will influence the Stormers v Sharks clash

THERE is plenty to look forward to when the Stormers take on the Sharks in their Rainbow Cup SA opening match at Cape Town Stadium today (kick-off 2pm).

For one, it’s rugby, and after all the uncertainty we’ve faced in recent weeks, it’s great to just have some action this weekend.

The fact that this competition serves as preparation for the British & Irish Lions Series adds another appetising point, while it will also be good to see how teams go in a competitive competition after trying new things during the Preparation Series.

So, here are three factors that could influence the coastal clash.

1. THE DU TOIT FACTOR

This one shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The World Rugby Player of the Year is finally back after spending more than a year on the sidelines with a complicated leg injury. And while one can never really expect too much from a returning player – especially after such a long hiatus – we all know that Pieter-Steph du Toit is special … you can’t expect ‘normal’ from him.

Yes, it’s been a while since he last took to the field (he sustained the injury in a Super Rugby outing against the Blues at the end of February last year), but there’s no doubt that he’ll be eager to get back to his best and ensure that he speedily builds towards top match fitness before the Lions arrive. In other words, expect him to be as busy as always … that work rate will probably make it seem like he was never out.

2. THE BOK FACTOR

The Stormers have no fewer than seven Springboks in the mix, with skipper Steven Kitshoff, fellow prop Frans Malherbe, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, lock Marvin Orie, Du Toit, scrum-half Herschel Jantjies and fullback Damian Willemse all in the match day squad. Better yet, those internationals are neatly sprinkled in key positions.

The front row, in particular, is a combination which can turn the set piece into a nightmare for the Sharks, and it’s a factor that’ll certainly play a big role today.

3. THE MENTAL FACTOR

Sure, there is no one team that can really say they suffered more than any other during this time. All teams had to somehow cope with training for matches that didn’t always happen and getting their minds in the game only for the competition to be postponed. But how they come back and how they prepared and what they got done despite the uncertainty – should play a role.

STORMERS:

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements:

(from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 David Meihuizen, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Leolin Zas.