Super Rugby preview: DHL Stormers vs Vodacom Bulls
With the Super Rugby season officially kicking off this coming weekend we preview the matches, we preview the North versus South classic.
The Bulls travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers at Newlands on 27 February 2016.
Incoming head coach, Robbie Fleck, will have the history books favoring him with this fixture. The last time that the visitors recorded a victory at Newlands was in 2011. During this fixture it was the educated boot of current Montepellier fly-half, Morne Steyn, being the difference. Even more notable about this Bulls squad is that only one player, Bjorn Basson, was part of the 16-19 victory in Cape Town; five years ago.
The Bulls have been dealt a huge blow during this year’s pre-season; a knee injury has put Springbok fly-half, Handre Pollard out for the entire season. Lappies Labuschange has also been ruled out of the first two months of the competition. New coach, Nollis Marais has had to deal with a huge exodus of experienced players at the end of 2015 injuries to key players does bode well for a favourable start. Springbok hooker, Adriaan Strauss has been named as this season’s captain. With Pollard out of action the nippy Heidelberg-born scrum-half Rudy Paige will take over the vice-captaincy from his Springbok teammate.
Paige, who became Springbok player number 767, made a huge impact in 2015, with his stellar rise in the rugby ranks making his World Cup debut against USA and Argentina at the tournament.
Fleck’s pre-season hasn’t been any less dramatic, with injuries to Springboks Damian de Allende, Jaco Taute and Cornal Hendricks. Recovery time for these three are set to be round six weeks from the start of the competition. De Allende and Taute are both nursing knee injuries and Hendricks is battling with a heart condition.
The former Cheetahs speedster has made the move to Cape Town at the end of 2015. However with World Cup winning loose forward, Schalk Burger as well as Eben Etzebeth returning from their stints in the Far East, will certainly provide a boost for the 2012 Super Rugby runners-up.
A new co-captain system has been put in place which sees Juan de Jongh and Frans Malherbe as his two men in charge. De Jongh, the more senior leader of the two, having captained the side on a few occasions in this tournament.
The Stomers having achieved a top ten finish in five of their last six seasons will look to go one further by claiming the title. A win at Newlands against the old foe will certainly boost the confidence and morale. Former Sharks second rower, Pieter-Steph du Toit will be a great boost. Du Toit along with Jean Kleyn will provide some sound experience for the inexperienced jumpers. With Etzebeth being the more senior of the towering locks.
The three-time champions will be looking to put the last two seasons behind them, finishing 2nd in 2013 was their highest position since winning the competition in 2010. On the other hand it will be the home-side that will be heading into this fixture as the favourites having the more experienced squad. Bulls’ back trio, Warrick Gelant, Travis Ishmael and Basson, with ball in hand will provide for some exploding counterattacking. This will be matched by a strong defensive Stormers side. Hopefully this will allow the Newlands faithful to be enticed to some running rugby as opposed to the traditional kick-and-chase tactics between these sides.
Stormers by 12.
Written by Lyndon Julius / Rugby 15
Photo: Anton Geyser / Rugby 15
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