Stormers primed for playoff push

A healthy contingent of returning stars and favourable run of games has Stormers chief John Dobson excited about the business end of their Vodacom URC campaign. 

The Cape outfit last week snapped a three-match losing streak in the URC with a 19-16 win over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus. Yet, despite the result, they dropped two spots on the log, sitting in 12th place, level with four other teams on 28 points.

A crucial overseas tour now awaits the Stormers after a two-week break, with clashes against Scarlets (22 March) and Ulster (28 March), before a favourable four-game stretch in Cape Town against Connacht, Benetton, Dragons and Cardiff to close out the league phase. 

Connacht and Cardiff, in eighth and sixth place respectively, pose the biggest threats for Dobson’s men, while bottom-placed Dragons and 13th-ranked Benetton offer must-win opportunities.

Last season, the Stormers enjoyed success against Scarlets (52-7) and Ulster (13-7) at home while securing away wins against Connacht (16-12) and Dragons (44-21). However, they stumbled in Treviso, narrowly losing 20-17 to Benetton, after a hard-fought 31-24 defeat to Cardiff at Arms Park.

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Dobson’s optimism stems from the anticipated return of Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, from long-term groin and shoulder injuries respectively. The Cape boss has also hinted at a surprise comeback for Manie Libbok – the World Cup winner hurt his knee against Leinster in January. 

The return of these playmakers will be a massive boost for a team that has battled through injury setbacks. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee has stepped up admirably but the reintroduction of Willemse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Libbok will add a dynamic attacking edge. 

Speedster Suleiman Hartzenberg, sidelined since mid-January with a broken hand, could also be back in the mix. Their inclusion aligns perfectly with the Stormers’ game model, one that thrives on creativity and instinctive play.

Dobson acknowledged the impact their return will have. “About eight [returning] guys are joining us on tour in two weeks,” he said after the Loftus victory. 

“Naturally, it would change the way we play – you can throw in Sacha, Damian, Manie or Suleiman into this group. It just changes the way we would play a bit.

“We like the X factor of that – that’s not good coaching, that’s just special players who can do crazy things. Our development now would probably be the reintegration of those guys.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images