Damian Willemse believes clashes between the Stormers and Vodacom Bulls come as close to Test rugby as club players will experience.
The Springbok utility back is set to make his return from a hamstring injury in the Vodacom URC north-south derby at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday having been named at inside centre by coach John Dobson.
“There’s nothing like it,” Willemse said on Friday. “This is probably as close as it gets to playing a Test match. The intensity, the crowd, the emotion – it’s massive. Some of the boys said this morning how special it is just to be selected for a game like this.”
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Willemse is one of several changes for the match.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back at flyhalf having recovered from a groin injury with Suleiman Hartzenberg replacing the in-form Dylan Maart on the right wing.
“Suleiman’s played these derbies before and he’s very strong in the air,” Dobson explained. “We need to build capacity in the backs and get him ready.”
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In the pack, in-form openside flank Paul de Villiers, who has racked up three consecutive Man of the Match awards, is among the substitutes as Dobson wants to “keep some fizz on the bench”.
“Paul’s been outstanding, but we wanted impact later in the game. The way he carries and hits breakdowns can do serious damage when things loosen up.”
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The selection of loosehead prop Ali Vermaak and lock JD Schickerling to start is aimed at countering the Bulls’ power up front.
“We know they’re the best team for post-contact metres. Ali’s stopping power and JD’s physicality are important for us in a game like this,” said Dobson, before referring to the Bulls’ one-point win in Cape Town last season.
“I think a lot of damage was done in that previous game with the starting front row. Wilco [Louw] really had a free ride on us. So that is the view to countering that with Ali’s selection.”
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Willemse also highlighted the threat posed by Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard’s boot, particularly in the aerial battle.
“We don’t want to give away penalties or territory because Handre can punish you. The kicking and aerial game is going to be huge.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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