De Villiers eyes all-round impact as Stormers shift focus to URC derby

The 23-year-old underlined that growth in his game with another influential display in the Stormers’ 39–26 victory over Leicester Tigers, where he registered two try assists and collected his fourth Man of the Match award of the season.

The win confirmed the Cape side’s place in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

De Villiers believes the next step in his development is consistency in the wider aspects of play, from ball-carrying and distribution to defensive work away from the ruck.

"I'd like for people to see me as an all-round player. I know attacking and defending at the breakdown is obviously a huge part of my game, but I like to have the ball in hand and I like to contribute at different levels during the match, whether that be on defence, on kick chase or linking up with the backs."

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Attention now turns back to the United Rugby Championship, with the Stormers preparing for a high-profile local derby against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

With ticket demand pointing towards a sold-out venue, De Villiers has welcomed the backing of the Stormers faithful, acknowledging the role the crowd has played during what has been a breakout campaign for him.

The former Junior Springbok captain in 2023 has progressed at a faster rate than initially anticipated since making his senior Currie Cup debut for Western Province shortly after the Junior World Championship.

Saturday’s clash is set to feature a compelling battle at the breakdown, with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

Despite the individual intrigue, De Villiers has stressed that the focus must remain on collective execution rather than personal duels.

"It's every players dream to test yourself against the best. May it be Siya or anyone else. I'm looking forward to the challenge, although we will be focusing on our own game rather focusing on the opposition's names."

Stormers defence coach Norman Laker has revealed that he and De Villiers “butted heads” earlier in the season, describing it as part of the learning curve for a driven and strong-minded young player.

Laker has since praised De Villiers’ maturity and responsiveness to feedback, highlighting his growing influence within the squad and his importance to the team.