Stormers not focussed on ‘old friends’ Bongi and Siya
SPOTLIGHT: Siyamthanda Kolisi and Mbongeni Mbonambi’s presence in the Sharks team won’t make any difference to the Stormers ahead of the United Rugby Championship match on Saturday.
On the back of a very impressive 30-26 win against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday, the Stormers face another difficult trip to Durban.
The Cape Town franchise takes on the Sharks, which will most likely feature Kolisi and Mbonambi in the pack.
The Sharks opted to rest the Springbok stalwarts during last weekend’s Round Eight clash against the Lions.
Kolisi and Mbonambi joined the Sharks last year and this weekend could be the first time the two face their former team at the same time.
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Stormers defence coach Norman Laker admitted ‘it would be funny’ to face the duo.
“Siya started with us 10 years ago at the institute with Scarra Ntubeni and Eben Etzebeth,” Laker told a media briefing, adding: ” Bongi joined us in 2014 so they have been part of the family for a long time.
“It would be funny to play against both of them at the same time.
“We respect them as rugby players,
“However it’s a professional game and we have a job do to, so we can’t focus on two old friends.”
Aside from the forward battle, the Stormers backline has the huge task of limiting the threat of the Sharks’ Springbok-laden backline.
“The Sharks have quality players, but we also have really good players,” Laker said.
“We have three guys that can play at no.12, two that can play No.13 and one that can be picked at wing or fullback, so we have more than enough firepower to put them on the backfoot.
“It is important for us to improve this coming weekend.
“And yes the Sharks have brilliant individual players.
“However, it is important for us not to focus on the individual players.
“Therefore as a team, we are just focussing on ourselves.”
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