The DHL Stormers have backed Joseph Dweba to live up to his words after the hooker got caught up in the elation of celebrating a second consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship final in Cape Town.
The Stormers will look to defend their URC title against Munster in what will be a second straight final at a sold out Cape Town Stadium.
It was Munster’s surprise victory over table-topping Leinster in the semi-finals that enabled the Stormers to host the final, after the defending champions claimed a win over Connacht.
There has been plenty of talk in Ireland about a viral video that showed the Stormers players and coaches, who watched the second semi-final at Cape Town Stadium, celebrating Munster’s win.
During the ecstatic celebrations, Dweba got caught up in the emotions and claimed that the Stormers would thump Munster.
However, speaking during a press conference on Monday, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani defended Dweba, adding that the Stormers only have the utmost respect for the one side they have yet to beat in the Vodacom URC.
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“Joseph is a very passionate rugby player,” said Hlungwani. “He has a bit of a mouth on him, but he is one guy who usually backs up his words.
“Saying what he said, it wasn’t something that was meant to go out to the public. It’s not necessarily his fault.
“If there is one guy who I would back to back up his own words, it’s Joseph.
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“It’s not something that we’ve had a long chat about,” Hlungwani added. “At the end of the day, we respect Munster. They are the only team we haven’t beaten in the URC. They are coming here with a strong squad. So it’s a team we really respect.”
Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images
