Kebble hoping for swansong glory against Stormers

It may be his last swansong, and if so, it makes it so much more fitting that it comes against the team that gave him his big break in rugby.

Glasgow Warriors’ Oli Kebble will leave the club at the end of the season, and ahead of facing his old team, the DHL Stormers on Saturday, Kebble is relishing the prospect of renewing friendships and rivalry as he prepares to bid farewell.

The seven years that Kebble has been at Glasgow have been exceptional for him as he recently surpassed 100 caps for the team, now standing at 101. Those times have also included 11 Scottish test caps to add to the 19 Western Province and 47 Stormers caps he earned before leaving for Scotland.

Kebble is now 31, and while he hasn’t announced what it next, his time at Scotstoun is almost done.

"I'm pretty sad I'm leaving, but I think I've had a great stint here," he laughed during his media interviews this week.

"All good things have come to an end. It's not really a reality yet, we've got three big weeks to go, so I haven't thought about it much.

"The awards dinner on Saturday was the first time I've thought about it properly. It's quite sad, but if you stay too long you become a villain, so I'm glad I'm leaving a hero!"

Kebble doesn’t seem like his time is done, and while the Stormers are on his mind, he is also looking forward to the next chapter.

"I've got a decision to make this week, it sounds like. That's all I can say right now."

But he has loved his time in Scotland.

"Making the [2019] final at Celtic Park was really special.

"Being a really competitive side every year, we've done well every year even if we haven't won anything. To top it off this season with a trophy would be lovely and a good way to end it.

"The guys who did experience that [final] will have a little extra knowledge when it comes to finals rugby. For us, we're completely a different team. We just need to focus on being the best we can be for ourselves and when it comes to those big moments hopefully we can be a little bit luckier."

The plan first is to beat the Stormers, and then continue that momentum deep into the playoffs to hopefully finish with glory.

“The amount of times we have done well in the league and not finished with a trophy at the end of it…it would be nice to leave with some silverware. That’s the plan,” Kebble smiled.

“I think I’m playing with a bit more freedom now, just because it’s out there in public that I’m leaving and there’s not something to hide about anymore.

“I can just go out and enjoy it and not get too stressed that it's potentially your last ever game at Scotstoun, but just make sure you enjoy every minute out there. That’s what I’ll be doing. Most likely a semifinal will be away from home so if selected, it’s about enjoying the moment.”

Kebble’s final message to his teammates was that it was good they didn’t play well against Zebre last week, as it would focus their minds on the task against the Stormers.

“It’s making sure we peak at the right time. I don’t know if Franco (Smith, Glasgow’s coach) would agree with me but I’m quite happy we didn’t play well against Zebre last week and we are saving our best rugby for the finals. It would be the worst thing ever if we pumped Zebre 80-0 and then lost in the quarterfinals. Hopefully we are peaking at the right time, saving a few things for those games to come and end off by winning the competition.”