Stormers XXIII captain Stefan Ungerer believes Kyle Smith is ready to shoulder the responsibility of sparking their attack. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
Smith will become the third different player in as many matches to wear the pivotal No 10 jersey the Stormers host the Sharks XV in Saturday’s Currie Cup clash at Cape Town Stadium.
He featured regularly during Western Province’s Currie Cup campaign last year, including the corresponding fixture against the Sharks XV in Durban.
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Ungerer said the 21-year-old has benefited from spending time alongside Springbok playmakers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok, as well as Stormers flyhalf Jurie Matthee.
“Kyle and I have played a couple of friendlies together, probably two or three years ago, so I have played with him quite a bit,” Ungerer said on Wednesday.
“He’s a very talented young flyhalf coming through the Stormers system.
“He’s been in the system for a while now and has learned from guys like Sacha, Manie and now Jurie.
“He’s a confidence player and we’re all excited to have him in. I think he’s also excited to wear that number 10 jersey and drive us around.”
The Stormers will be looking for an improved display after suffering a heavy defeat to the Boland Cavaliers last weekend.
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Ungerer admitted the Cape side fell well short of the standards they expect of themselves and said restoring their trademark physical edge has been a major focus this week.
“The standards we put out in the last game definitely weren’t characteristic of a Stormers side, and we’re well aware of that,” he said.
“We’ve focussed on ourselves this week and how we can be better and hoping getting back to what the Stormers are known for, which is that physicality, defence and set-piece.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Stormers XXIII captain Stefan Ungerer believes Kyle Smith is ready to shoulder the responsibility of sparking their attack.
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