Manie back for Gaza’s milestone match

Damian Willemse’s 100th appearance for the Stormers on Saturday should be extra special with the news that fellow playmaker Manie Libbok is in line for selection.

Libbok is “fit and ready to play” in the Vodacom URC round 17 clash against Dragons at Cape Town Stadium, according to Willemse and Stormers attack coach Dawie Snyman.

The World Cup and URC-winning flyhalf hurt his knee against Leinster in January, and the 27-year-old’s availability is a boost as John Dobson’s men resume their march to the URC playoffs after a brief hiatus in the competition.

Willemse made his Stormers debut at the age of just 18 in 2017, and has since developed into one of the most dangerous backline players in the world.

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“Yeah, look obviously, it’s amazing. A special occasion for me to bring up the 100th,” he told reporters on Monday. “Coming in at 18 years old, just finished matric, and then three months later getting the opportunity to make my debut.

“I’ve got to give thanks to the coaches, giving me that responsibility, and trusting me. And the players. 

“They all helped shape me, and made me the player that I am today and not just on the field, but off the field as well; for calling me out if I’m not working hard enough, or I’m flying a little bit too high.”

The 26-year-old played an instrumental role in the Stormers claiming the inaugural URC title in 2021-22, featuring at both fullback and centre, and is a vital cog in an electric backline with Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Warrick Gelant.

“I think it’s pretty incredible, for us as well … I don’t think there’s been a time in recent history that we’ve all been fit and ready to play together,” Willemse said.

“It’s always been myself injured, or Manie was injured now, or recently Sacha. But now, all four of us are healthy and ready to play.

“We’ve been coming up with nice plays, and I think it came through nicely in the Benetton game. Yeah, so I’m just looking forward to it [Saturday]; there’s still a lot to come.

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“For a guy like me, having Warrick who can distribute and also make the play… [Seabelo] Senatla, Ben Loader on the wing who can also finish… and Sacha has been outstanding the last few weeks, he’s just going to grow from strength to strength,” he added.

The Stormers, in sixth on the log, host Dragons in the shadow of Table Mountain for the first time, and are eager to build on their most recent outing – a 56-5 thrashing of Benetton in round 16.

“Continuity in selection is important so we can keep our rhythm as a group and as a team, and just make sure those who are next in line are also ready,” Snyman replied when asked if starting Libbok at No 10 and resting Feinberg-Mngomezulu was an option.

“We’re not going to take the Dragons lightly, they’re a good side.”

Snyman also confirmed that the 40-year-old Brok Harris, set to retire at the end of this season following a 19-year professional career, is ruled out for Saturday’s clash.

The veteran prop was forced off in the final 10 minutes of the win against Benetton, and will say farewell to the supporters at Cape Town Stadium this week.

Harris, who returned to Cape Town in 2021 after seven years with the Dragons in Wales, has amassed an incredible 433 first-class appearances, including 170 for the Stormers. His distinguished career includes winning the Currie Cup in 2012 and the URC in 2022.

“What Brok has done for the Stormers has been immense, but also for the Dragons; every time we go to Newport he’s a legend over there for what he has contributed to them, which is special,” Snyman added.

“What he’s done in rugby in both communities has been phenomenal, and just the person he is… everywhere he goes he’s got good friends and good memories, and everyone speaks highly of him.”

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images