Ex-Boks: Stormers too strong up front

Cape Town - The Stormers will be too strong up front for the Brumbies when the two teams clash in a Super Rugby qualifier at Newlands on Saturday.

That is the view if two Stormers legends and former Springboks, Toks van der Linde and Breyton Paulse.

“I don’t think the Brumbies have an answer to the Stormers’ pack of forwards,” Van der Linde was quoted as saying on Netwerk24.

“The scrums will be a huge factor and the Stormers dominated every team in that department this year. Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch and Frans Malherbe are doing immense work as props. I am very excited,” the former Bok prop continued.

Paulse, a former Springbok wing, echoed Van der Linde’s sentiments.

“The Stormers have to hit them hard up front and soften them up so the backs can excel. Home ground advantage will also count heavily in the Stormers’ favour and I think (Stormers coach) Allister Coetzee’s decision to rest his top players last week will reap rewards.”

Paulse though warned that the Brumbies should not be written off.

“They are very dangerous with their driving mauls. David Pocock is a master at the breakdowns and it’s important that the Stormers’ tight five clean out well when he gets his hands on the ball. He is a big threat.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Newlands is scheduled for 17:05.

Teams:

Stormers:

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Michael Rhodes, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Jaco Taute

Brumbies:

15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes (from): 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 James Dargaville, 24 Les Makin, 25 Nigel Ah Wong