Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is pleased to have two top organisers in Kurt Coleman and Dillyn Leyds in his backline for their game against the Sharks tomorrow (5.15pm kickoff).
Coleman is fit and ready after sustaining an ankle injury during training in New Zealand, and when Robert du Preez was also sidelined with injury against the Hurricanes, Leyds stepped in at No 10, while he also featured there in the second half against the Highlanders the previous week.
Although Leyds produced a decent performance against the Blues last week, the return of a natural flyhalf in Coleman will do the Stormers good in Durban.
And Fleck added that Leyds’ organisational skills will be an asset for his team’s backline this weekend.
“We felt that with what the Sharks are presenting this weekend, we wanted Kurt to come back in from an organisational point of view," Fleck said.
"There are various threats that the Sharks pose, they’ve got a really strong kicking game and with Dillyn at the back there, he’s one of our main organisers. He (Coleman) was an obvious choice for us, to have a settled flyhalf back in the position.”
Fleck also praised the impact Coleman has made off the bench this season before injury struck, and he made a special mention of his performance against the Sunwolves.
“He played against the Brumbies and unfortunately he got injured. He’s a general, he likes to control the game, and he’s got a good, solid kicking game," he said.
"His communications skills are excellent. Every time he has come on for us this year he’s made an impact.
“Against the Sunwolves he did very well off the bench, and he added that great attacking kick towards the end of the game.”
Brandon Thomson, who was included in Fleck’s match-day squad last week and featured off the bench, didn’t make the side for this weekend’s clash, as Fleck believes Leyds offered sufficient flyhalf backup.
“The way that Dillyn covered flyhalf on tour has given us a lot of belief and confidence in him,” he said.
The Stormers will also welcome Springbok centre Damian de Allende back at No 12 in the place of Shaun Treeby, who was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Blues pivot Piers Francis.
In other changes to the backline, Jano Vermaak is back in the Stormers’ starting line-up, while Seabelo Senatla will provide cover on the bench as Leyds moves back to the left wing.
Juan de Jongh will make his return to the Stormers side on the bench, and Fleck said that he was excited to see how the Bok centre performs on Saturday.
“It’s good to have him back in the side, he brings a lot of energy and a lot of leadership. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes on the weekend,” Fleck said.
Up front, Fleck made no changes to his pack that did duty against the Blues, with the only change being Chris van Zyl’s inclusion in Saturday’s roster on the bench.
Speaking of the Stormers’ pack, Fleck said that he was expecting a “typical South African derby”, and specifically mentioned the Sharks’ physical pack as one of the threats they can expect the Durbanites to pose.
“They like to take the ball up with their forwards. And they’re a really combative side. If you’re not at your best physically, they’ll look to dominate you. It’s a typical South African derby. But we’re upbeat and it was an important win for us last week,” Fleck said.
Sharks:
15. Lwazi Mvovo, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Johan Deysel, 11. Sbu Nkosi, 10. Garth April, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt (captain), 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Ruan Botha, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Beast Mtawarira, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Etienne Oosthuizen, 20. Tera Mtembu, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23. Odwa Ndungane.
Stormers:
15. SP Marais, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. EW Viljoen, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Siya Kolisi (captain), 6. Kobus van Dyk, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Oli Kebble. Replacements: 16. Ramone Samuels, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Chris van Zyl, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Dewaldt Duvenage, 22. Juan de Jongh, 23. Seabelo Senatla.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen