The Stormers back three are raring to go against South Africa’s best when they take on the Sharks this weekend.
The Sharks are top of the Super Rugby table, but coach John Dobson’s manne can leapfrog them with a victory in Durban.
And it’s a victory that could be decided by the wings and the fullbacks of either team, with the Sharks’ kick-and-chase game producing 23 tries.
World Cup-winning wingers Sbu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi and fullback Aphelele Fassi have worked hard to win contestable kicks, from which the Sharks have set up feeding frenzies.
But Cape defence coach Norman Laker reckons fullback Dillyn Leyds and wingers Seabelo Senatla and Sergeal Petersen will be up to the task of turning the tables on the in-form trio.
SPRINGBOK AMBITION: Dillyn Leyds. Picture: Nic Bothma/EPA.
He says: “It is a risk, but the guys we have are just as good.
“Two of them are Springboks. It will be good for us to play against them and to measure our strengths against theirs. If they play well, they might get a call-up in June. So it’s a good challenge for us.”
“The Sharks have a good back three and they can find holes that not many others can find.
“They like to move the ball around the park and we are trying to fix what went wrong against the Blues, so we have a few plans for that.
TALENTED: Sergeal Petersen. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
“We have been good in the air, with Seabelo, Sergeal and Dillyn Leyds at the back, so I wouldn’t say it’s a weakness for us.
“The Sharks contest hard with the ball in the air to get turnovers, we saw that in the game against the Jaguares.
“The first 14 points was just off contestables that they won back, it will be a good challenge for Sergeal and Seabelo.”
For Senatla, it’s a personal battle.
SPRINGBOK AMBITION: Dillyn Leyds. Picture: Nic Bothma/EPA.
The Blitzbok hero switched codes in order to win a Springbok jersey. And he is looking forward to prove himself against the best.
He says: “They are World Cup winners, Nkosi and Mapimps. And they are playing like champions right now.
“That’s why I came here for the challenge.
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“Right now they are the best and it’s going be a big challenge for me and my teammates.”