Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says the Stormers should not play Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit as a loose forward.
With regular captain Siya Kolisi rested, Stormers coach Robbie Fleck picked Du Toit at flank for last Saturday’s Super Rugby encounter against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
It was a tough first encounter on tour for the Capetonians, who conceded eight tries in a 57-24 defeat.
De Villiers, who coached the Springboks between 2008 and 2011, expressed his views via a column for Kwese Sports.
“You might say that Du Toit moving into the No 7 jersey will strengthen the lineout play. But, if you are sensible and weigh the amount of lineouts against loose-play situations and defence, then there is no way that you can make such a selection,” De Villiers wrote.
“Du Toit is too slow to play at flank, especially against the New Zealand teams, who will explore that space that you are creating for them out wide. I cannot help but feel sorry for such a talented rugby player, who is forced to play out of position where he lacks the abilities to cut down space. This allowed the backs of the Crusaders to create one-on-one situations, which led to overlaps out wide.”
As Springbok coach, De Villiers won the 2009 Tri-Nations, as well as a series win over the British and Irish Lions that same year.
During his tenure, he boasted five wins out of 11 Tests against the All Blacks - a better record than most Bok coaches in recent times.
De Villiers was the director of rugby at the University of the Western Cape between 2012 and 2015, but has since struggled to find work in rugby.
