Paul de Villiers has long been hailed as the Stormers’ scavenger-in-chief, a flanker who prowls the breakdown like a seasoned hunter. But the 23-year-old is no longer content to be pigeonholed as a one-dimensional ball thief. He wants to be seen as a complete rugby player.
And his recent performances suggest that evolution is well underway.
De Villiers has been central to the Stormers’ flying start to the season, yet his latest statement came not over the ball, but with it in hand.
In the Stormers’ 39–26 Investec Champions Cup victory over Leicester Tigers that sealed a last-16 berth, the No 6 delivered two try assists and another Man of the Match performance, showing that his influence now stretches well beyond the ruck.
“I’d like people to see me as an all-round player,” De Villiers said ahead of Saturday night’s Vodacom URC derby against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium.
“The breakdown, defence and physicality are a big part of my game and the role of a No 6, but I also like having the ball in hand.
“I want to contribute on different levels – whether that’s on defence, kick chase, or attacking and linking with the backs.”
If De Villiers is sharpening new weapons, Stormers defence coach Norman Laker believes the transformation has been forged as much in the classroom as on the training field. The pair, he admits, did not always see eye to eye early in the season.
“As the season has gone on, we’ve got to know each other a lot better and he understands the system now,” Laker said with a laugh.
“But he’s a clever guy, and it makes our defensive sets easier when you’ve got someone who can either steal the ball or slow the breakdown.”
Crucially, Laker points to improved judgement – the difference between a nuisance and a liability – as a defining factor in De Villiers’ growth.
“One thing Paulie is doing really well at the moment is making good decisions,” Laker said.
“His turnover-to-penalty ratio is much better than it was in the past. I’m really happy for him, because when he’s doing well, the team is doing well.”
That maturity is no accident. According to Laker, De Villiers’ preparation has become almost academic in its intensity.
“He doesn’t go onto the field just thinking, ‘I’m going to steal this ball,’” Laker explained.
“The homework he does off the field is phenomenal, the video work, the questions he asks during the week. It’s like studying for university. He studies every part of the game: set-piece, breakdowns, where opportunities might come for him and the team.”
Next up is another bruising examination against the Sharks, a derby that rarely lacks bite. De Villiers welcomes the challenge.
“It’s any player’s dream to test yourself against the best,” he said.
“They’re a team full of quality players and we respect them. But we’ll focus more on ourselves and our own game than on the names they’re bringing.”
With another sold-out Cape Town Stadium expected, De Villiers knows the crowd will be an invisible force in Stormers blue.
“Running out in front of that support means a lot,” he said.
“It helps in the tough moments. You definitely feel like you’ve got an extra man on the field.”
Once known primarily for his work over the ball, De Villiers is now adding layers to his game. He no longer just a breakdown specialist, but a flanker playing with his head up, hands free, and influence spreading across the park like a well-executed backline move.
Photo Credit: Rashied Isaacs
