Well known for the legendary work he has been doing over the years for touch rugby in South Africa, Stormers skills coach Labeeb Levy is looking to put a personal touch on the team this year.
Levy has been tasked with upskilling the Stormers players, meaning under his mentorship we might see more Dillyn Leyds versus the Chiefs moments.
For those who don’t remember, the year was 2017 and the Chiefs were in town.
Then-teammate Cheslin Kolbe intercepted a Chiefs pop pass on the Stormers 22 and then kicked the ball forward. Leyds chased down the ball expertly and once he gathered it, was ankle-tapped by one of the opposition players.
Not held on the ground, he sat up and magically passed the ball behind his own back and into the hands of SP Marais, who ran in one of the most famous tries in the Mother City in recent years.
Having worked with most of the players in the current Stormers squad at various age-group levels, WP’s former Coaching and Education Manager believes this current crop has what it takes to dazzle Newlands one last time in 2020.
In fact, Levy believes the Stormers can match their New Zealand counterparts for skill.
IT'S MAGIC: Stormers' Dillyn Leyds
Having spent some time in the Land of the Long White Cloud, Levy says: “We’ve got the same athleticism and similar skill. [The difference in New Zealand is that] they focus more on skills.
“If you talk to any coach [over there], he will tell you that he just likes to have a free team, passing more. The overall mindset is that they want to attack and I think they bring it into their actual game.
“We’ve come a long way in SA in focusing on skills.
“It’s a mindset and being bold to do that no-look offload. I want to attack and I prepare to attack.”
The Stormers have a chance to match their skill level to some of the finest New Zealand opposition when they tackle the Hurricanes in next weekend’s season opener at Newlands.