The Bulls take on Leinster in the weekend’s first URC semi-final at the RDS Arena on Friday night, before the Stormers host Ulster in the other last-four decider in Cape Town on Saturday.

In a wide-ranging interview with Netwerk24, the 10-Test-capped Leyds suggested that the Bulls have the all-round game and tactical nous to match the more fancied Leinster in Dublin.

He has also backed the playing style of his former side the Stormers to be the undoing of Ulster at Cape Town Stadium.

Leyds, who was named Man of the match after La Rochelle’s victory over Leinster in the European Champions Cup final two weeks ago, said: “It will be difficult for the Bulls because Leinster is very formidable in Dublin. However, the Bulls have played incredibly good rugby in the last few months. Their pack of forwards is especially excellent.

READ: Big playoff boost for Bulls

“I think the Bulls can definitely cut it. They are in a similar situation as we were two weeks ago. They have nothing to lose.

“I have not worked with Jake White but he is clearly a very good coach who can win trophies. He will probably come up with some masterplan.

“It’s the kind of thing the Bulls like … guys like Ryan Nortje and Marcell Coetzee will be important players for them, and I think they have the backline with talent in the wide channels to win.

“The Bulls also like to be the outsider. They like to prove you wrong and I think that will be their attitude.”

A former Western Province academy graduate, Leyds joined La Rochelle in 2020 after six years with the Stormers and WP.

The 29-year-old has been impressed by the success of John Dobson’s charges, who he believes can overcome the absence of the injured Damian Willemse to defeat Ulster.

MORE: Roos grateful for Stormers lifeline

Leyds added: “The building blocks for that were already laid a few seasons ago. It just took the right guys to drive it and that’s happened now. There is togetherness among all the players.

“Their playing style and the pace in their game put many teams under pressure. If things get slow and it has to be fought out in tight phases, they have guys like Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie and Evan Roos dominating up front.

“The Stormers are such a well-balanced team that they can still win despite the loss [of Willemse].”

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Leyds, who last played at flyhalf in the Stormers’ victory against the Blues at Newlands last year, moves into the pivot position in place of the injured Damian Willemse.

Leyds’ place on the right wing is taken by Seabelo Senatla, with EW Viljoen coming in at outside centre for the injured JJ Engelbrecht in the only other backline change.

However, Leyds could end up moving to fullback after SP Marais sustained an injury during training on Thursday. A call on his availability will be made on Friday.

In the front row, experienced loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg makes his first start of the season, with Steven Kitshoff set to make an impact from the replacements bench, while in the loose trio Cobus Wiese is back at blindside flank after missing out last week.

Stormers – 15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Dillyn Leyds, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 George Whitehead.

Super Rugby teams (Round 3)

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images

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Coach Allister Coetzee will have left close observers scratching their heads once again on Tuesday evening when it was confirmed that Raymond Rhule was one of three players to be released from the Bok camp.

While many might have expected Rhule to be dropped after his struggles in the Boks’ recent 57-0 thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks in Albany, his axing comes in contradiction to Coetzee’s comments on Monday when he came to the defence of the under-fire winger.

Nevertheless, Rhule’s departure opens up a berth on the right wing that will be filled by Leyds, who will make his first start for the Boks after featuring off the bench in all three Tests against France in June, albeit in a limited role.

Leyds was a star performer for the Stormers during Super Rugby this year, and while his strengths may lie on attack, it’s on defence that the Boks will be hoping that he can provide greater solidity out wide.

Cover on the wing this Saturday will again be provided by Jesse Kriel, with S’bu Nkosi having also been released for domestic duty after spending only a couple of days with the national side in an introductory capacity.

ALSO READ: Nkosi is one ‘for the future’ 

Besides the elevation of Leyds to the starting lineup, the only other change to the backline will come at scrumhalf, where Ross Cronjé is set to return after recovering from the illness that kept him out of the Boks’ clash against the All Blacks.

By and large, though, Coetzee is expected to opt for continuity over wholesale changes when the Bok side is named on Thursday afternoon.

However, the recall of Louw from English club Bath does suggest at least one change among the forwards, with the veteran flanker seen as more of a like-for-like replacement for the injured Jaco Kriel.

Louw had a limited role to play at Monday’s training session after only just jetting in to join the Boks, but Coetzee says he is fit, strong and ready for Test match rugby.

ALSO READ: Louw ‘ready’ for Test rugby

Should Louw be deployed in tandem with Siya Kolisi, it’s likely that Jean-Luc du Preez will revert to a role as an impact player off the bench, with Uzair Cassiem continuing at No 8.

And while the Boks have looked to manage the on-field workload of stalwarts Eben Etzebeth and Beast Mtawarira at the start of this week, they should have key roles to play in what is expected to be an unchanged tight five.

The Bok team will be named at 14:00 on Thursday.

Possible Springboks– 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6, Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende.

ALSO READ: Boks are hungry, motivated – Smith

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

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Pollard has completed his injury rehabilitation and replaces Curwin Bosch in the squad, while Cronjé, who missed the trip to Salta due to an ankle injury sustained in the first Test against Argentina, is fit again and regains his place in the touring party ahead of Jano Vermaak.

Leyds, who can cover wing and fullback, has been drafted back into the squad ahead of Cheetahs centre Francois Venter.

Bosch, Venter and Vermaak have all been released back to their provinces for Currie Cup duty.

ALSO READ: Boks break mental barrier

‘Handré was really impressive during the two weeks he spent with us in Port Elizabeth. Even though he was fit and available for the away match against Argentina in Salta, we made a decision that another week of conditioning will be beneficial for him,’ said coach Allister Coetzee.

‘He will be utilised in a versatile role, covering centre too. He is the kind of player that really thrives in the Springbok environment and is very coachable. It must be said that he also made a huge improvement in terms of his skill levels and the understanding of this team’s technical plan.

‘Curwin has grown a lot during his time with us, and all our coaches are pleased with his current development. He knows what is expected of him in this environment, and like I said before, it is my responsibility to manage him properly at international level.

‘We would like to see him carry the confidence he has gained during his time with Springboks into the Currie Cup.’

The Boks play against the Wallabies in Perth next Saturday and the All Blacks in Albany the week after.

Springbok squad – Uzair Cassiem, Lood de Jager, Ruan Dreyer, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth , Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Damian de Allende, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Raymond Rhule, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan.

Photo: Paul Cunningham/Getty Images

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