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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – His first priority is to establish himself in the Stormers’ starting line-up, but Willem de Waal is still hoping that he can impress the national selectors this year.
De Waal, who sustained a serious neck injury during the course of last year’s Currie Cup campaign, will run out for the Stormers in Saturday’s friendly match against Boland at the Cape Town Stadium.
Should he play without discomfort, he may just be wearing the Stormers’ No 10 jersey in their first Super14 game of the season against the Lions at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck said recently that Peter Grant would be their first-choice inside centre.
“I’m excited about the prospect of playing again, but still nervous to see whether I will last through the game. It will be a very good test for my neck,” said De Waal.
“The important thing is that the Stormers perform well this year and I hope to be a permanent fixture in the team.”
A combination of De Waal at flyhalf and Grant at inside centre means that the Stormers will have to make the unpopular decision to start new Springbok centre Juan de Jongh on the substitutes bench.
On top of that, Grant is a Springbok flyhalf.
De Waal turns 32 later this month. It’s an age where most players have either given up hope of playing for the Boks one day or even retired. However, the points machine still believes he has something to offer at national level.
“If you look at the kind of rugby the Boks played last year with Morné Steyn as flyhalf, kicking was very important. It would have suited me. Hopefully the door opens if I keep knocking,” said De Waal.
De Waal may not offer as many attacking options as Grant, but is a master at what he does well: using his kicking boot to ensure that his team enjoys territorial advantage and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Unfortunately injuries have derailed his last two Currie Cup campaigns at WP.
“Those were freak injuries and I was unfortunate not to be able to play in the latter stages of the last two seasons. It would have given me a chance to stake a claim to tour with the Springboks and prove myself,” said De Waal.
“You don’t know whether you can handle it there until you have played. It’s important that I get game time this season. I’d love to be part of a tour.”
Last year he ensured a draw with a late conversion for the Emerging Springboks in their match against the British and Irish Lions at Newlands.
Cape Town – His first priority is to establish himself in the Stormers’ starting line-up, but Willem de Waal is still hoping that he can impress the national selectors this year.
De Waal, who sustained a serious neck injury during the course of last year’s Currie Cup campaign, will run out for the Stormers in Saturday’s friendly match against Boland at the Cape Town Stadium.
Should he play without discomfort, he may just be wearing the Stormers’ No 10 jersey in their first Super14 game of the season against the Lions at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck said recently that Peter Grant would be their first-choice inside centre.
“I’m excited about the prospect of playing again, but still nervous to see whether I will last through the game. It will be a very good test for my neck,” said De Waal.
“The important thing is that the Stormers perform well this year and I hope to be a permanent fixture in the team.”
A combination of De Waal at flyhalf and Grant at inside centre means that the Stormers will have to make the unpopular decision to start new Springbok centre Juan de Jongh on the substitutes bench.
On top of that, Grant is a Springbok flyhalf.
De Waal turns 32 later this month. It’s an age where most players have either given up hope of playing for the Boks one day or even retired. However, the points machine still believes he has something to offer at national level.
“If you look at the kind of rugby the Boks played last year with Morné Steyn as flyhalf, kicking was very important. It would have suited me. Hopefully the door opens if I keep knocking,” said De Waal.
De Waal may not offer as many attacking options as Grant, but is a master at what he does well: using his kicking boot to ensure that his team enjoys territorial advantage and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Unfortunately injuries have derailed his last two Currie Cup campaigns at WP.
“Those were freak injuries and I was unfortunate not to be able to play in the latter stages of the last two seasons. It would have given me a chance to stake a claim to tour with the Springboks and prove myself,” said De Waal.
“You don’t know whether you can handle it there until you have played. It’s important that I get game time this season. I’d love to be part of a tour.”
Last year he ensured a draw with a late conversion for the Emerging Springboks in their match against the British and Irish Lions at Newlands.
