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5 big Newlands match-ups

Cape Town - Five one-on-one duels that could have a bearing on the outcome of the Stormers v Bulls humdinger on Saturday.

1. Andries Bekker (Stormers) v Victor Matfield (Bulls)
Should these quite outstanding No 5 locks be fighting for only one slot in the Springbok team this year? If that is the case, then rightly or wrongly Matfield must be favoured to start because of his deep-rooted role within the “leadership core”. But the cat might be among the pigeons if Bekker gets the better of the more seasoned international again: he did so in overall terms during the first-round encounter at Loftus. Still, more and more critics are just beginning to fancy that you could play the Stormers man at No 4 for the Boks, considering his much better ability and willingness these days to “mix it” and do unglamorous coalface chores. Matfield is back much nearer his lineout A-game at present ... it only spices this particular clash of minds and bodies even more.

2. Wicus Blaauw (Stormers) v Werner Kruger (Bulls)
Around two years ago, sometimes cocky loosehead prop Blaauw appeared to have the measure – and then some, actually – of the less animated, no-fuss Bulls tighthead in Super Rugby or Currie Cup scrummaging confrontations. But the gap has closed ... some might argue completely, or even suggest the boot is just switching to the other foot. While Blaauw has tended not to take backward steps in Super Rugby matches thus far in 2011, Kruger has been a rather more clear-cut improver, perhaps, in the Bulls’ No 3 jersey. His work-rate in general play has been exceptional at times, whilst any perceptions of vulnerability when it comes to the big set-piece heave-ho have also had to be banished. He is in the broad “training group”, and full Springbok possibilities suddenly seem a lot closer. The Stormers opting for Deon Fourie at the expense of chunkier Tiaan Liebenberg at hooker will also “interest” Kruger at scrum-time, I think ...

3. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers) v Pierre Spies (Bulls)
Here we go again ... the remarkably tireless, combative warhorse of the Stormers against the supposed “show pony” of the Bulls, a muscular and athletic specimen not renowned at all for a consistent work ethic but unquestionably devastating on the gallop whenever the team he is representing boasts front-foot momentum. Spies is also the Springbok incumbent at No 8, but just maybe this is the most acid test yet (with RWC 2011 in mind) of his ability not to go AWOL in a tight, teeth-gnashing scrap. Vermeulen’s defence is significantly better – both in tackling terms and in pouching high bombs – but his own challenge, in the personal quest for Bok recognition, is to try to close the gap on Spies for game-breaking skill.

4. Kurt Coleman (Stormers) v Morne Steyn (Bulls)
Phew, on paper this really ought to be a no-contest: a bit like pitting a schoolboy against Nadal or Federer in a Wimbledon final. The Stormers’ rookie, fourth-choice flyhalf (certainly a label he had to live with a couple of weeks back, anyway) makes the most rigorous of his mere three starts in Super Rugby here, against the booming-booted Springbok No 10 who is fast closing in on a three-figure tally in caps in the southern hemisphere competition. The “apprentice”, as coach Allister Coetzee has acknowledged Coleman basically is, has already shown some near-sparkling touches as an attacking factor, but is he ready to boss a game of this intensity and importance? And what if the Bulls pack, still hurting from the first-round home defeat, play out of their skins to really put the squeeze on a retreating Coleman? Also, if this match comes down to who kicks best off the tee, how many Capetonians would be brave enough not to lump their hard-earned money on the metronomic Steyn? So many questions, soon to be answered. At least, if you’re a Stormers fan, Coleman can be termed a bit of a mystery factor against these foes, which is perhaps a morsel to take heart from.

5. Jean de Villiers (Stormers) v Wynand Olivier (Bulls)
The Bulls’ awakening in recent weeks has coincided influentially, I believe, with Olivier rediscovering some lost lustre at inside centre. Like most players in his midfield role, he is in his element when his team is going forward ... he has started probing gaps once more, and also taken the ball into contact with commendable gusto as the Bulls have found strong “second wind” mojo at Loftus of late. But this is Newlands, where another blond, wily bomber lurks in the form of De Villiers. This Bok favourite was pretty close to his lethal best in the destruction of the Rebels last weekend, which he may feel bodes well for his clash with Olivier. No disrespect to Jaco Pretorius, but he is advantaged, too, by having the ever-classy, great-communicating Jaque Fourie as his “13” on Saturday ...
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