SA Sevens dilemma for Stormers
De Jongh, Kolbe, De Allende may go to Rio
CALL-UPS to the South African sevens team could deny the Stormers the services of some key players at crucial times later in the Super Rugby season. Captain and centre Juan de Jongh, fullback Cheslin Kolbe and centre Damian de Allende are all part of the Blitzboks’ plans and could all feature at the Olympic Games in Rio in August.
Kolbe and De Jongh were star members of the Blitzboks team in the opening rounds of the 2015-16 World Sevens Series before returning to Super Rugby duty.
De Allende was part of the Sevens squad even though he was injured, and is still in the frame for the final two events of the schedule in Paris and London in May.
At this stage Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is unsure when those players will be called up, if at all.
De Allende has made two appearances off the bench after four months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, while Kolbe is the only viable fullback option with Dillyn Leyds and Jaco Taute ruled out for the rest of the season.
“Cheslin is an interesting case because we don’t know what will happen with the sevens team,” Fleck said.
“He could be called up at any stage and could go to the Olympics. Juan de Jongh is in the same boat.
“We have to manage both of them during the week. They know their bodies well, so if they feel they need rest, we take notice of that.
“But Cheslin is the only fit, recognised fullback we have in the group. Huw Jones is coming on in training and EW Viljoen will play 80 minutes for WP in the Currie Cup this week, but they both need time.”
De Allende is also unsure of when the Blitzboks will use him, but says he is keen to play when he feels ready.
“I spoke to the sevens management and they still want me to play, but I won’t go into it halfheartedly,” De Allende said.
“I want to work on my fitness a bit more, and if I feel I can compete in a sevens tournament at that level of fitness and skill, I’ll give it a shot.
“If you’re not up to standard you’ll be exposed quickly. We’ll see how the next few weeks go and if it all works out, I might have a chance of playing a tournament or two. But if I don’t feel right I’m not going to rush into things.”
Given the uncertainty over sevens selections, Fleck is still trying to identify the best possible team nearly halfway through the tournament.
“I have to develop a squad that’s going to carry us right through this tournament,” he said.
“With the injuries we have had, we have been able to juggle it quite well and effectively. We have been able to keep our players quite fresh.
“The rotations are working and at some stage we are going to start focusing on a first-choice side and when that opportunity arises we will follow through.”
