DHL Stormers Assistant Coach Robbie Fleck on the backline for the game v Blues

It is tough losing experienced players like Jean and Jaque but the reality is we still have five players with international experience in the backline (Connie, Habs, Gio, JDJ and Ricky) and that experience will be vital in Saturdays clash. There are some major changes to the backline, but some exciting players get the chance to stake a claim – that’s the nature of the competition.

Juan de Jongh and Johann Sadie are both exciting players and it’s a great opportunity for them whether they have had a lot of time together as a combination or not. Sadie is also a bit of an unknown factor to the opposition. He has the X-factor and may just surprise a few people. I have every confidence in this combination and the two players.

Lionel did well against the Sharks and Saders, two big teams and he will take the lessons he learned in those games and hopefully be even better in the game against the Blues.

Ricky played well last Saturday. He brings experience, solid defence that is important to our structures and also asks questions on attack.

It is going to be a tough game and there should be some hard and attacking rugby from both sides.

Rob.