Stormers aiming for 'the next level'
Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers is back this weekend to lead a first-choice backline against the Cheetahs, and the Bok veteran has called for his side to "go to the next level" in front of the Newlands faithful.
The Cape side's backline resources were stretched fairly thin on their tour, with the experienced pair of De Villiers and Gio Aplon having to return home early, and although coach Allister Coetzee's charges adapted well to lose only one game overseas, the big guns are back this weekend and their captain expects them to fire.
"We have evolved so much as a team and with the guys coming in having played so well but we need to go to the next level as a team now. It is the Cheetahs in front of us this week but we are looking at taking the next step as a team and getting better because it is a vital four weeks that is make or break for us," he said.
De Villiers was in impressive form before he suffered his hand injury, and has been touted as a possible candidate for the Springbok captaincy in the Test series against England in June, with coach Heyneke Meyer highly complimentary of his leadership ability at the planning camp held in Cape Town last week.
The Stormers captain admitted to being highly frustrated having to watch the team play on television, and said that he is determined to lead the charge on Saturday as his hunger to prove himself has not dimmed.
"It is much easier playing rugby than watching it. When you have got so much interest in the game then it is tough sitting at home and you can't do anything about it.
"I play rugby because I enjoy it, I want to play every Saturday and I want to be on the field to help the team so I am happy to be back and I am looking forward to the game," he explained.
De Villiers said that he is confident that his injury has had enough time to recover properly, and added that the break also allowed him to iron out a few other minor issues which means he should be raring to go this weekend.
"It has recovered nicely, I will still be playing with a brace and will strap it as well but it has been good. I had two good sessions last week when we were with the Boks, but there was no contact and then obviously I have taken contact this week and it really has responded well so I am confident.
"Sometimes an injury happens for a reason as well, you can work a bit on some of the other niggles that you have and do a bit of rehab," he said.
The Stormers have targeted the next four weeks as 'make or break' for their campaign, and De Villiers said that apart from rising to the challenge that the expansive Cheetahs will present, there is extra motivation for his side who lost to the Free State team in a pre-season clash in Cape Town.
"They [Cheetahs] obviously do play a very entertaining brand of rugby and they have been really successful with it, the win on the weekend will also give them a lot of confidence and the last time we played them at Newlands we lost so there is a lot to play for for us," he said.
By Michael de Vries