Stormers vs Sharks: Five battles that could decide Bok-loaded URC coastal derby

A mouth-watering coastal derby awaits on Saturday in Cape Town when the Stormers take on the Sharks at the DHL Stadium.

Both sides are loaded with Springboks for the sold-out clash (7.30pm kick-off), and inside the big battle, there will be several mini fights that could determine the direction the match will go. The Stormers and Sharks will hope their players are switched on from the first minute.

We look at five player-battles that could shape the outcome.

Battle of the flyhalves

While Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will have the added pressure of the captaincy armband, he is dead-set on improving his overall performance from last week when he made his debut as skipper of the side. The Stormers’ attacking flair will hinge on him and his connection with Cobus Reinach and the backs outside of him. However, his kicking game will come under scrutiny as well.

For Jordan Hendrikse, it’s another chance to test him against a fellow Bok and someone who stepped into the national fold almost at the expense of the Sharks’ pivot. But, it won’t be about national colours, instead Hendrikse will be focused on making the No 10 jersey in Durban his own as he aims to bring calm game management. A solid defensive, attacking and kicking performance should aid him.

Cracking the scrum

Neethling Fouché will be licking his lips at the youngster the Sharks selected to go up against him. The match was set up for a billboard battle between the Stormers’ tighthead and Ox Nché. However, the young Phatu Ganyane is stepping up, and Fouché must be switched on from the first scrum to give the Junior Bok a front row welcome to what he can expect from seasoned South African tightheads.

On the other hand, the youngster will be frothing at the mouth to show that he can step into the boots of Nché more regularly. Known for his strength and explosiveness with the ball in hand, Ganyane will be eager to test himself against Fouché. He will be well-prepared and could be a handful in the scrums and when he gets the ball in hand.

Manning the midfield

Bok vs Bok. Star vs star. The inside centre duel between Damian Willemse and André Esterhuizen will be worth the gate fee alone. Willemse is back after missing a week of rugby through concussion, and as the most senior player in the Stormers’ backline, he must give direction and keep heads around him calm. His runs to get the go-forward ball will be crucial, as well as that defence against Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker.

Now, the Sharks’ captain would’ve noticed how their hosts were cut up in the midfield over the last two games by the opposing English sides in the Champions Cup. The prospect of running at Willemse and Wandisile Simelane, or Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu, will be an enticing one. While the Sharks will look to his attacking instincts, his leadership and defence alongside Hooker will be critical.

Manning the last line

Two hot-steppers that can turn a match on its head in the blink of an eye. Warrick Gelant will be eager to find his boogey upon his return to the starting XV. Much of the Stormers’ backline magic depends on the fullback and he must start finding his teammates in space and make those offloads stick. But, his game under the high kicks and covering the backfield on defence will likely be way more important in this duel.

Aphelele Fassi, like Gelant, is a danger with the ball in hand. The Sharks will need him in top form to thwart the rush defence of the Stormers with his twinkle toes. However, he will be peppered by aerial bombs from all over the field. His security under them and how he deals with the chase from the Stormers wingers could shape the territorial game Saturday evening.

Locking it down in the lineouts

The Stormers’ lineout is up there with the best in the competition, and they hardly put a foot wrong when they have JD Schickerling calling the plays. He will be up against good contesting players and will therefore be under constant pressure on his own throw-ins. It’s not just the lineouts where he will be crucial, Schickerling does the hard work at the rucks and on defence, but he is also a keen runner with the ball in hand.

Sharks lock Emile van Heerden will have been studying the Stormers’ lineout and how to defuse one of the best in the tournament. His competing against the likes of Schickerling will be critical to disrupt any planned set-piece moves of the Cape side – and Van Heerden is very good at his job in that regard. He will also be up against some competitive Stormers jumpers to win possession for the Sharks.