New dad Ruhan’s return should see a switch for Damian

Ruhan Nel became a father on Tuesday but the proud father of a baby girl didn’t waste time in rushing back into training on Wednesday and is an almost certain selection into the DHL Stormers midfield for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Harlequins at the DHL Stadium.

Described last week by Stormers head coach John Dobson as an “yster” (an iron man of the team), Nel was absent when the Stormers drew with Leinster at the RDS Arena in Dublin last week because the baby was expected to arrive at the weekend.

With Nel out, the Stormers went into the top of the table clash with Damian Willemse wearing the No 12 jersey and Dan du Plessis switching to outside centre.

As Dobson intimated, Nel is a crucial cog in the Stormers’ backline, both on attack and as the defensive organiser, and it would come as a major surprise were he to miss the Harlequins clash.

And with the Cape side set to line up against a strong ball carrying centre in Andre Estherhuizen who was often a thorn to them when he played for the Sharks, it would also be a surprise were Du Plessis not to move back to his preferred position, where he has been in excellent form this season.

Returning to what they consider their best midfield combination will release Willemse to play in the fullback position where he is more likely to play for the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

Although Clayton Blommetjies has been in good attacking form, he is also sometimes unpredictable, and it was an error from him that let in one of the Leinster tries in the wet weather game in Dublin.

Willemse is more reliable at the core basics of fullback play, as his status as the alternative Bok fullback to Willie le Roux would suggest.

LIBBOK-SMITH FACE-OFF

That does not mean that Blommetjies won’t have a crucial role to play against Harlequins, as he would make a great impact sub coming off the bench later in the game and his X-factor can break a game open just when it is most needed, such as when he chased down a Manie Libbok kick to score the equalising try against the table-topping Irish team five days ago.

Other than the likely midfield/fullback switch, the Stormers team, which will be announced on Friday, shouldn’t vary too much from the one that played against Leinster.

A key face off to look forward to is that between Libbok and the dazzling Harlequins and England attacking flyhalf Marcus Smith.

Both players are destructive on attack and are players the opposition need to watch closely. By most accounts Smith was overshadowed by Owen Farrell when the two England flyhalves clashed in the Harlequins/Saracens game last week, but there is no denying the threat he can pose and Libbok said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“He is a special player. I twill be a massive contest and a huge battle. Especially for myself, but also for him. And I am obviously looking forward to it.”

Not that the game is just a personal battle for Libbok, who’s professionalism and passion for the game has been a revelation to the Stormers since he moved down to the Cape from the Cell C Sharks before the start of last season.

The Stormers’ playing style suits Libbok, who has risen from being a player who struggled to be a starter at some of his previous franchises to being selected for the Springboks while starring for the Cape team.

“At the moment all I think about is performing well for the Stormers,” said Libbok.

“I just want to put my best foot forward each week for the team and whatever happens after that, it happens.”