Wilhelm's chance to shine
By Mark Stevens
2/2/18
Wilhelm Van Der Sluys says he cannot wait to experience the famous Sandy Park atmosphere as he prepares to line-up for the Exeter Chiefs in tomorrow’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Saracens (3pm).
The South African lock is poised to make his competitive home debut in a fixture which has taken on even greater significance for the Devon club following Northampton’s victory over Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night.
Now, the Chiefs will head into their final pool game knowing if they can collect all five points against Saracens, they will be heading into a fourth successive Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final.
However, Van Der Sluys - who joined the Chiefs at the start of this season from the Kings - knows the Londoners will be tough nut to crack, even though they are without a number of their frontline stars due to Six Nations call-ups.
“Sarries will be tough, they are European champions for a reason,” warned the 26-year-old. “It will, however, be a good challenge for us and one we’re all very much looking forward to.”
Van Der Sluys is one of a number of changes the Chiefs have made to their starting line-up from that which lost 31-21 to Worcester Warriors last Saturday. He comes into a pack which sees Jack Innard, Greg Holmes and Thomas Waldrom all added. Behind, Jack Maunder gets the nod at scrum-half, Ollie Devoto and Phil Dollman both return, whilst there is also a first-ever Chiefs start for new signing Santiago Cordero on the right wing.
It’s certainly a powerful line-up that has been named by Chiefs coach Ricky Pellow, but it underlines the strength in depth that exists within the playing squad and Van Der Sluys is desperate to make the most of his opportunity.
“I’m very excited about the game, especially as it’s here at Sandy Park and against Saracens,” he added. “I’ve experienced match-days watching from the sidelines, but now it will be good to hear the fans doing their chant whilst I’m on the pitch.”
The Paarl-born lock has spent much of the campaign sidelined with a knee injury sustained in an A League fixture, but now fighting fit the chance to pull on a Chiefs jersey is something Van Der Sluys is keen to do.
“The injury has been frustrating for me, but thankfully I’ve been in good hands with the physios and the S&C guys. They really are great here at the club and although it’s been a tough few weeks for me, they’ve really looked after me and I feel I have benefitted a lot from my time with them.
“It was good to play last weekend, albeit we lost the game, but it will be great to pull on the jersey again this weekend. As I said, competition within the squad is pretty stiff, so you have to make the most of your opportunities when you get them.
“I think for a lot of the lads, we will take last weekend’s defeat as motivation to take into this game and, hopefully, we can turn the tables this time round.”