Which team has the most at stake in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld is irrelevant to the Stormers who, according to coach John Dobson, “won’t go away.” DYLAN JACK reports.
The defending champions go into the north-south derby riding a 4-0 record against their rivals in the tournament.
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The Stormers also lead the Vodacom Bulls by 10 points on the table and a win on Saturday could be enough to clinch the race for the South African Shield.
However, the Vodacom Bulls, boosted by the return of Jake White and Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi, are unbeaten in 12 home games, a run stretching back to last February.
“It’s Bulls versus Stormers. We have no excuses. We are the best Stormers team that we can put out there,” Dobson told the media on Friday. “It’s interesting to see the Bulls are favourites with the bookies. That’s interesting, that we are seen as underdogs.
“The one thing I can guarantee is that we won’t go away, this team fights. Expect the same tomorrow.”
Theoretically, the Stormers could afford to lose the derby and still go on to finish in the top four, a fact that makes Dobson eager to see how his team – minus the pressure of ‘must-win’ context – fares against rivals desperate for log points at a packed stadium.
“It’s a real test of our evolution and maturity tomorrow. In terms of the log, it isn’t do or die, but can we still go to a place like Loftus and perform without our backs against the wall? They are obviously going to fight for this one.
“If we can produce a performance without a gun to our heads, it will show we are evolving. We have work to do with our performances overseas, without question. But the main goal for this season is to consolidate our winning mentality. I am excited for it.”
TEAM: Stormers back Scarra in north-south derby
The Stormers have named an unchanged backline from the one that thumped the Sharks in Durban, with Manie Libbok staying at No 10, but have made a couple of changes up-front, as experienced hooker Scarra Ntubeni returns to the starting lineup.
This means that from the side that started in last season’s grand final, captain and flank Deon Fourie is the only forward to retain his starting position.
“I am really pleased with the continuity. Deon is the only forward that started in the final. That says something about how we created depth. It’s great to see Scarra back. We have nice continuity with backs. We didn’t have option to rest Manie with Jean-Luc du Plessis out with a concussion.
“It’s not a must-win, do-or-die match, but we must respect the rivalry. That’s why we’ve put out our strongest team. Every Stormers player wants to play in this game.”
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