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Cape Town - While admitting that Cheetahs playmaker Willie le Roux is a big threat, the Stormers won't focus on him alone in their Super Rugby clash at Newlands this weekend.
Le Roux recently made his Springbok debut in the No 15 jersey, but is back at right wing for Saturday's Super Rugby derby. Whatever position he plays in, Le Roux remains a big threat to backlines with his ability to create space and set up tries for team-mates.
However, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is confident his side's strong defensive structure will keep Le Roux at bay.
"Willie is a quality player obviously, and has a variation of attacking skills. But we are still one of the better defensive sides, and we still back our defensive systems," Coetzee told the Cape Times.
"We've got to make sure that we don't watch Willie only, but focus and stay within our systems and don't do unnecessary things."
Despite languishing in 11th spot on the overall log, the Stormers are again the best defensive unit this year, having conceded only 17 tries in 13 matches to date, four less than the Reds on 21.
With that sound defensive structure the coach is hoping his charges could hold off one of the competitions best attacking sides.
He did, however, admit that they will be underdogs.
"The Cheetahs are the favourites, as they are fifth on the log and playing good rugby. We are in 11th position. They are playing good rugby and have the confidence, and they have a number of Springboks who have been rewarded for their good Super Rugby form."
The clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:15 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Deon Fourie (captain), 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Don Armand, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Rynhardt Landman, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Petrus Vermeulen, 19 Johannes Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Howard Mnisi.
Le Roux recently made his Springbok debut in the No 15 jersey, but is back at right wing for Saturday's Super Rugby derby. Whatever position he plays in, Le Roux remains a big threat to backlines with his ability to create space and set up tries for team-mates.
However, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is confident his side's strong defensive structure will keep Le Roux at bay.
"Willie is a quality player obviously, and has a variation of attacking skills. But we are still one of the better defensive sides, and we still back our defensive systems," Coetzee told the Cape Times.
"We've got to make sure that we don't watch Willie only, but focus and stay within our systems and don't do unnecessary things."
Despite languishing in 11th spot on the overall log, the Stormers are again the best defensive unit this year, having conceded only 17 tries in 13 matches to date, four less than the Reds on 21.
With that sound defensive structure the coach is hoping his charges could hold off one of the competitions best attacking sides.
He did, however, admit that they will be underdogs.
"The Cheetahs are the favourites, as they are fifth on the log and playing good rugby. We are in 11th position. They are playing good rugby and have the confidence, and they have a number of Springboks who have been rewarded for their good Super Rugby form."
The clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:15 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Deon Fourie (captain), 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Don Armand, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Rynhardt Landman, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Petrus Vermeulen, 19 Johannes Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Howard Mnisi.
