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Stormers to raid Super Rugby rivals for talented playmaker - reports
By Alex Shaw
It’s been a tough but potentially promising season so far for the Stormers, who sit fourth in South African conference, ahead only of the Jaguares.
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They started the season with a humbling 40-3 defeat at the hands of the Bulls, before showing signs of life, going on a three-match win streak against the Lions, Sharks and Jaguares. From there they embarked on a tour of New Zealand, pushing both the Hurricanes and Blues close, despite the Blues padding out the score line later in that game.
Robbie Fleck’s side already boast promising fly-half/full-back Damian Willemse, but with the franchise tending to opt for him in the 15 jersey so far this season, they could be in the market for another versatile playmaker if reports from South Africa are to be believed.
According to Rapport, the Cape Town-based team are in talks with Sharks prospect Curwin Bosch.
Bosch, 21, has already accrued plenty of Super Rugby experience with the Sharks, as well as making two appearances for the Springboks. He was a graduate of the South African U20 side in 2017 and was one of the players nominated for the World Rugby Junior Player of the Year in 2016.
After bursting onto the Super Rugby scene a couple of years ago, Bosch has struggled to maintain that early momentum and currently doesn’t have a spot in the Sharks XV locked down, something which could pave the way to a move to the Stormers and a reunion with former U20 teammate Willemse.
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With Willemse being predominately used at full-back, the Stormers’ current starting fly-half is Jean-Luc du Plessis, a position battle that would test and potentially bring the best out of both du Plessis and Bosch.
Should he opt to make the move west, the Sharks will be left with a dilemma of their own at fly-half, with his teammate Robert du Preez confirmed as leaving at the end of the season, with the 25-year-old joining up with Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership.
Watch: Sharks coach Robert du Preez talks to the press after the loss to the Bulls
