Storm alert over Bulls’ Willie le Roux

If gifted playmaker deployed at first receiver on Saturday, Cape side will have to pull out all the stops

04 February 2025 - 15:16
By Liam Del Carme
Willie le Roux often directs traffic from first receiver even when wearing the No 15 jersey.
Image: Christiaan Kotze (Gallo Images) Willie le Roux often directs traffic from first receiver even when wearing the No 15 jersey.

The prospect of Willie le Roux pulling the Bulls' strings from No 10 in Saturday's north vs south derby has justifiably more than caught the attention of Stormers defence coach Norman Laker.

He knows if the gifted playmaker is deployed at first receiver in the United Rugby Championship (URC) match, the men under his defensive tutelage will have to pull out all the stops.

Willie is from Strand and he went to Paul Roos (High), there are only talented people from the Strand and Paul Roos. I am sure he can play 10,” said Laker.

With his experience, as a first receiver for the Springboks, he played a lot in that role by distributing.”

The seasoned fullback often pops up in that position for franchise and country and it is usually to devastating effect. He is particularly effective off third and fourth phase possession as it often enables him to deliver a telling final pass.

He, of course, brings other qualities. Le Roux is a versatile operator. He started on the right-wing in four consecutive Tests in 2013, the year in which he made his Bok debut. His tactical kicking is really good and he has a calm head. He is a quality rugby player and he can slot in at 10 and 15.

He is a world-class player. He played 98 Test matches for Springboks. He started at wing for the Springboks and moved to fullback and to play 98 Tests is phenomenal,” said Laker.

The Bulls would perhaps not have considered Le Roux at 10 had they not been brought to that juncture by circumstance. Regular flyhalf Johan Goosen is injured and the void suddenly seems hard to fill in a match potentially of great consequence.

Boeta Chamberlain hasn't taken command of that position when he has been presented opportunity, while Jaco van der Walt's scant game time means he is unlikely to be considered for a starting berth against the old enemy.

After all, the Bulls are due to clash with enduring adversaries who will be fired up.

After delivered a chastening 40-0 defeat to Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup, the Stormers lost their subsequent matches against Racing 92 and Leinster away from home.

If they needed a home coming performance of substance, nothing can be more uplifting than the opportunity to do it against the Bulls.

Though they've had a wobbly season the Stormers remain unbeaten at Cape Town Stadium. They will need to turn it into a fortress if they are going to turn their season around in the URC and secure a place in the competition's knock-out stages.