Stormers’ Pokomela keen to have a go at former teammate and coach

Loose forward Junior Pokomela says he is relishing the opportunity to play against former allies when the Stormers take on the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Sunday.

Pokomela was included in the 28-man Stormers squad for their tour of Europe. If selected in the match 23 for this weekend’s URC clash against the Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium, Pokomela will come up against former teammate Sintu Manjezi.

ALSO READ: Stormers recall Feinberg-Mngomezulu for European tour

The pair played for the Cheetahs in 2019, with Pokomela moving to Cape Town in 2021 and Manjezi joining Glasgow in June on a two-season contract.

Stormers star Junior Pokomela eager for reunion:

“Sintu is a mate of mine, he’s a massive player,” said Pokomela. “I played at the Cheetahs with him, and against him when he was at the Bulls.

“We played good rugby together at the Cheetahs, and I’m happy for him doing well at Glasgow, playing week in and week out. I’m looking forward to facing him this coming weekend, and meeting up with him afterwards – I’m excited actually,” Pokomela explained.

ALSO READ: Dobson not in party mood just yet as tough schedule looms for Stormers

The sixth-placed Warriors are coming off back-to-back derby wins in the URC and seem to have turned a corner in 2022/23 under former Cheetahs head coach, Franco Smith.

Pokomela’s experience of playing for Smith from 2017 to 2019 gives him insight and vital intel into what to expect from this fixture.

“I’ve got nothing but massive respect for Franco, when he coached me at the Cheetahs I played some of my best rugby under him,” added Pokomela.

“He has turned Glasgow around and they’re playing brilliant rugby. I watched their two games against Edinburgh and they played so well.

“They’re a free-flowing team but I can imagine with the weather conditions [in the northern hemisphere] he sometimes can’t play the way he would like to play because Franco is a coach who likes to attack and play quick ball.

“So we’ll prepare well and do our homework and make sure we’re ready for them,” Pokomela concluded.

The Stormers are second on the URC table behind Irish outfit Leinster.