CAPE TOWN - Unlike most games where all the attention is mostly on the debutant, Cheslin Kolbe and SP Marais will share some of the attention that Stormers newcomer EW Viljoen will get in the showdown against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday (7.30pm kickoff).
And don’t count Jean-Luc du Plessis and Wilco Louw out of the attention equation.
The reason? Kolbe will find himself in an unfamiliar spot on the right wing, while Marais, who has had stints with the Leopards, Sharks, Kings and Bulls, will look to settle in the Cape as he takes over from Kolbe at fullback.
Many people have been looking forward to charting Dan du Plessis’s progress at centre after an unfortunate injury last year, but Viljoen is a pacy centre with hands and vision who deserves a Stormers spot.
Viljoen will make his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers’ old foes at outside centre and coach Robbie Fleck, who was confident about his choices, said that his selections were aimed at rewarding players for their “outstanding” pre-season performances against the Cheetahs, SWD Eagles and Lions.
“EW is certainly one of the best (No) 13s coming out of our system. So he gets a good opportunity after a very good pre-season,” Fleck said.
“In the pre-season they (Marais and Kolbe) formed a good combination. It partly has to do with the kicking options that we can have. SP has done particularly well in the pre-season.”
Although Kolbe will have significantly less space on the wing than what he’s used to at the back, Fleck assured the media at the Stormers team announcement that Kolbe can have a good go out wide.
“Cheslin had a very good game on the right wing against the Lions, so it’s a good combination for us going into the game,” he said.
“The Bulls have a strong combination in the back three. They’re big boys and they’re good in the air, but it’s the same threat that came our way in the Currie Cup (last year) and we handled it. They’re a good combination, but so is ours.”
The game against the Bulls is also a perfect one for Du Plessis to get a firmer grip on the No 10 jersey, as he faces stiff competition from Robert du Preez especially, while Kurt Coleman and young star Damian Willemse also loom in the background.
The flyhalf jersey was shared by Du Plessis and Du Preez last year as Coleman spent most of the season on the sidelines due to injury. And Du Plessis’ massive attacking game will be a solid match for the Bulls’ fit-again Handre Pollard.
Another player who was rewarded for his pre-season outings was tighthead prop Louw, who will come in at No 3 ahead of incumbent Frans Malherbe.
“Wilco had an excellent going in the pre-season and he worked incredibly hard,” Fleck said.
“To be fair to Frans, he’s come back from a big neck injury and he’s been out for more than six months, so we’re going to ease him back into Super Rugby. But Wilco definitely deserves this start.”
On the challenge against the Bulls, Fleck said that it was particularly important to get a good start to the 2017 season.
And as both the Stormers and Bulls will face the New Zealand sides this year, both teams will be chasing the win to boost their confidence ahead of a tough draw this season.
“The Bulls and ourselves are in a very tough group, so it’s important for the confidence that we get a good start. We beat the Bulls last year and we got off to a good start, and we’d like to do that again,” Fleck added.
Saturday’s game against the Bulls will also be one in which former Bull Dan Kriel will look to impress against his former team and brother Jesse. And Fleck said that both Kriel and Dan du Plessis underwent fitness tests yesterday, but he chose to give Kriel the nod.
“Dan Kriel is a big, strong ball-carrier. He brings something different to the midfield and he knows the Bulls set-up better than anyone, so he’s a nice addition,” Fleck said.
Stormers:
15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (vice-captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Rob du Preez
Bulls:
15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Travis Ismaiel, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Nick de Jager, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Lizo Gqoboka, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Warrick Gelant