Ahead of a mouthwatering north-south derby at Cape Town Stadium, DEVIN HERMANUS previews the back-row showdown between the Stormers and Vodacom Bulls on Saturday.
Evan Roos vs Elrigh Louw
Billed as the face-off to decide Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen’s successor, who will emerge victorious when young guns Roos and Louw lock horns in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship?
We know who we are backing ??@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/qgd2mVVsHr
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 7, 2022
The Stormers’ Roos, a frightening hybrid of Vermeulen and ex-Bok Pierre Spies, is the leading ball-carrier in the URC this season and ranks second overall for metres run.
It’s just beautiful to watch ?@Vodacom #URC | @TheStormers | #STOvOSP pic.twitter.com/DYaaDMxuiy
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 2, 2022
Evan Roos ? his childhood rugby hero ?@Vodacom #URC #STOvULS pic.twitter.com/tDfESdDxCs
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 26, 2022
Louw, who recently committed his future to the Bulls until 2027, has been similarly destructive as the 22-year-old dovetails with skipper Marcell Coetzee for the fourth-most carries in the competition.
We are proud to announce that Elrigh Louw will remain a Vodacom Bull for the foreseeable future ? He has signed a 5 year contract extension with us ?#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/0vzRtO9roj
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 5, 2022
Game recognises game ? pic.twitter.com/M6bfcdQdgS
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 3, 2022
Hacjivah Dayimani vs Cyle Brink
Known more for his try-scoring breaks and speed, Dayimani has shown a harder edge to his game in 2022.
The former Lions star has embraced the Stormers’ running blueprint this season while also placing an emphasis on his off-the-ball work, complementing the abrasive Roos and premier poacher Deon Fourie.
Hacjivah Dayimani buca l’interno del suo No. 1️⃣2️⃣
Gli @THESTORMERS aprono le marcature contro @LionsRugbyCo ⚡️#URC #URCITA | #LIOvSTO pic.twitter.com/tS0YZSubXW
— United Rugby Championship Italy (URC) (@URCOfficial_IT) February 12, 2022
Brink has made his presence felt on the field in his previous few appearances for the Bulls, injury having prevented him from playing in a number of matches after joining the Pretoria outfit at the start of the year from English club Leicester Tigers.
Cyle Brink out here bouncing players like tennis balls ?@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/3KQ52jqAe2
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 30, 2022
The HITMAN Cyle Brink folds him like laundry ??@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/SvTNUPCpSm
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 4, 2022
Deon Fourie vs Marcell Coetzee
The highly experienced Fourie leads the pack for most turnovers won in the URC, while also filling in at hooker and leading John Dobson’s men in the absence of regular captain Steven Kitshoff.
Congratulations to Deon Fourie on being awarded Player of the Match for the second consecutive game.
Yster#URC pic.twitter.com/cEE0QnZ78m
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) February 12, 2022
But, the Stormers No 6 will have his work cut out for him foraging for the pill against wily Coetzee, whose outrageous offload and carry game has put him in the Bok selection mix.
The captain was simply too strong. ?@Vodacom #URC #BULvSCA #SSRugby pic.twitter.com/Y6v0jZhJcR
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) March 18, 2022
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