Stormers back-row Junior Pokomela is highly motivated ahead of his team’s derby against the Bulls in Petoria on Saturday and is bracing himself for a tough battle.
As the United Rugby Championship’s (URC) defending champions, the Stormers are the side which all their opponents want to beat but there will be extra motivation in the Bulls’ ranks as they are on a four-match losing streak against the men from the Cape.
In a confident mood
The Stormers head into this fixture after registering an impressive 46-19 victory over the Sharks in their previous match a fortnight ago and will be in a confident mood when they take on the Bulls.
“We had a nice break after a good win against the Sharks. We now have a big challenge this weekend against the Bulls playing away, so it’s going to be massive,” Pokomela told the Citizen.
“The guys are positive. We are prepping for a big one against the Bulls and I am excited to go out there and help the team wherever I can.”
Although the Stormers are sitting pretty at the top of the URC‘s South African Shield table – with a 10-point lead on their nearest rivals, the Bulls – their matches against the men from Pretoria are usually tight and intense duels and Pokomela expects this weekend’s encounter to be no different.
The 26-year-old identified the Bulls’ loose forwards as a potential threat and is raring to go, whether he is in the Stormers’ starting line-up or on the replacements bench.
“I don’t have a preferred position. I will play wherever the team needs me, whether it’s at six or seven or playing off the bench. It doesn’t really matter what number I have on my back and I will just make sure that I do my job,” said Pokomela.
“The Bulls have got a strong loose trio. They have Springboks in Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden and a top player like Cyle Brink. So it’s always nice to measure yourself against the best. With them being Springboks I respect them highly, and it is going to be a big challenge that I am excited for.”
Tough competition lifting his game
Competition for places in the Stormers back-row is also fierce and Pokomela believes that healthy rivalry is benefiting his game.
“It is really healthy,” he added. “As a player you really want competition, you want to be tested week in and week out and to keep pushing yourself.
“Without competition you become complacent. So having this competition is very healthy, it keeps me on my toes and makes me work even harder.”
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