The DHL Stormers recovered from an early-season wobble on tour to go on an incredible run which has resurrected their top-four hopes and seen them escape the Champions Cup’s Pool of Death, writes DYLAN JACK.
Where they stand:
URC: 7th, 26 points
Champions Cup: 2nd in Pool 4, round of 16
Having started the season with wins against the Lions in Johannesburg (35-33) and Scarlets in Stellenbosch (52-7), the Stormers hit the metaphorical wall during their four-match tour, losing all of their fixtures against Glasgow, Benetton, Munster and Cardiff. However, with their World Cup-winning Springboks back in the squad, John Dobson’s charges bounced back in style against Zebre, cruising to a 31-7 victory.
Dobson opted to send a mixed squad to England to take on a powerhouse Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup opener. It almost paid off spectacularly, as the Stormers were minutes away from claiming what would have been a deserved losing bonus point and potentially snatching a win, before the hosts went upfield and scored in the last play of the game.
Back at home, the Stormers sent out a star-studded side against defending champions La Rochelle and a thrilling encounter saw Manie Libbok slot a touchline conversion to earn a 21-20 victory. Derby wins in the Vodacom URC against the Vodacom Bulls (26-20) and Sharks (16-15) followed to close out December.
Following a week’s break, the Stormers started the new year by beating Sale Sharks in Cape Town and Stade Francais in Paris to seal a home last-16 tie against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup.
Currently the Stormers are seventh on the URC log, tied on 26 points with the Bulls and are just two points outside the top four.
Best signing: Sti Sithole
The big question surrounding the Stormers going into the season was how they would replace talismanic Ulster-bound captain Steven Kitshoff.
While filling the boots of a two-time World Cup winner is an unenviable task, Sithole’s return to Cape Town has taken it on admirably. The 30-year-old’s arrival from the Lions has helped the Stormers remain one of the best scrummaging sides in the URC.
Best result:
The win against La Rochelle was massive for the Stormers, even if it wasn’t their cleanest performance. Going into their first match at the refurbished Cape Town Stadium pitch, the Stormers were under a bit of pressure following the winless tour. Even though the Stormers trailed until the final play, that last-minute converted try said everything about the team’s spirit.
Remaining fixtures:
17 Feb: Sharks (a)
2 March: Bulls (a)
23 March Edinburgh (h)
30 March: Ulster (h)
5/6/7 April: La Rochelle, Champions Cup playoff (h)
20 April: Ospreys (h)
27 April: Leinster (h)
10 May: Dragons (a)
18 May: Connacht (a)
1 June: Lions (h)
Mid-season prediction:
An easing injury list and some favourable fixtures coming up should give the Stormers some momentum and allow them to start playing their flashy brand, following a high-stakes December and January schedule.
Frans Malherbe, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Lizo Gqoboka are expected to return to fitness by the time the season resumes and mid-season signing Wandisile Simelane should be raring to go for the trip to Kings Park to face the Sharks.
From here, the Stormers should kick on and push for a home playoff in the URC, but the match against the challenging Bulls at Loftus will be key. The Stormers should use home-ground advantage to knock out La Rochelle and progress to the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
