The DHL Stormers answered a question that has been hovering for the best part of a fortnight by naming Manie Libbok as their starting flyhalf for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.
Coach John Dobson had hinted after the big win over the Cell C Sharks that he might introduce an element of rotation for this match, with Libbok singled out as a player who might be rested. By choosing Libbok, the Stormers have paid the fixture the compliment of going with their strongest available team.
The Stormers will be without Hacjivah Dayimani, who is still struggling with an injury, in addition to the resting Springboks, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie and Damian Willemse, plus the injured Boks, Evan Roos and Salmaan Moerat. Leolin Zas is also currently injured. But Dobson has chosen his strongest team from the players who were available to play, and that includes a fit-again Ernst van Rhyn, who will cover lock from the bench.
Also on the bench this week, and this could be a big move from the Stormers tactically, is another Bok in Joseph Dweba. Instead veteran Scarra Ntubeni, who is also a Bok and certainly doesn’t lack experience, will resume battle with his old rivals in the No 2 jersey. Dweba can certainly be expected to bring big impact onto the field from the bench when he does come on.
Ntubeni coming in for Dweba is one of just two changes to the Stormers team that started their 46-19 win over the Sharks in Durban last time out, with the other being Willie Engelbrecht returning to the No 7 jersey on the blindside flank. Junior Pokomela will bring impact from the bench, as will Ben-Jason Dixon.
With Dobson going for a six/two split between forwards and backs on the bench, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the only outside back. However, Paul de Wet, who scored the winning try for the Stormers in the corresponding match last January, can fill in at wing if he is required to do so.
The team will be led by Deon Fourie, who was brilliant in the leadership role in Durban, and by making this selection the Stormers have given an indication that they are going to try and make the most of the opportunity to effectively end the race for the South African Shield with four games to go by scoring a fifth consecutive win over the Bulls.
Considering they are without so many key players, the Stormers still boast impressive depth through the team and onto the bench, particularly at forward. For instance, reserve loosehead prop Ali Vermaak has played over 50 games for the Stormers, and Van Rhyn is a regular Stormers captain when he’s fit and Kitshoff is absent.
What will be interesting to hear from Dobson when he goes in front of a press conference later on Friday is whether the decision not to rest Libbok was driven by the fitness status of Jean-Luc du Plessis, who was concussed against Ulster a few weeks ago and is considered the best alternative to Libbok of the Stormers’ alternative flyhalves in terms of his playing style.
DHL Stormers team: Clayton Blommetjies, Sulieman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis, Seabelo Senatla, Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies, Marcel Theunissen, Willie Engelbrecht, Deon Fourie (captain), Gary Porter, Ruben van Heerden, Neethling Fouche, Scarra Ntubeni, Brok Harris. Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Ali Vermaak, Sazi Sandi, Ernst van Rhyn, Ben-Jason Dixon, Junior Pokomela, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.