De Jongh not scared

 

The Springbok centre, who has recently returned to the Stormers' squad after an injury lay-off, knows that he will be up against quality opposition in the centres this weekend.

 

Jono Lance as well as Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper have been marked down to play in the midfield for the Waratahs but coach Michael Cheika has made it clear that the impressive Kurtley Beale will appear in the centres from time to time.

 

De Jongh is respectful of his midfield counterparts but has no fear in facing them.

 

"They have a good backline at the moment, they are sitting with two Wallabies in Cooper and Kurtley [Beale] so you know its going to be a tough game," he said

 

"We are looking forward to that challenge, it's not like we have never played against them – we know what to expect.

 

"We have to make sure we are on our 'A game' and look after them very carefully."

 

With one of the most dangerous attackers in Super Rugby, Israel Folau, not being declared fit to play this weekend one could assume the Stormers would be breathing a sigh of relief. 

 

De Jongh however feels that there is no point in focusing on the opposition, instead he would like to focus on his own game.

 

"I am not to worried about who is playing or not playing because at the end of the day you want to measure yourself against the best in a standard that is the best," De Jongh said.

 

"It's all about what we are going to bring and what our 'A game' is going to be like – as well as making sure we do well on Saturday."

 

The Stormers own backline could also be seen as weakened, with inspirational captain Jean de Villiers sitting out of Saturday's clash along with Gio Aplon who is out for an extended period with an elbow injury.

 

"It is always tough to loose players,  we have a lot of injuries, especially in our back line, Jean [de Villiers] is not playing, Gio [Aplon] isn't playing – they are both Springboks." 

 

"For us it all comes down to who is playing this weekend so we are focusing on our own combinations rather," De Jongh added.