If the DHL Stormers are to transition from a good team to an exceptional one, they have to replicate their ‘granite’ home form when playing overseas, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane acknowledges the Stormers’ impressive home stats over the past two years, winning 28 out of 31 matches, but points out that the true test of greatness lies in winning consistently on the road.
He underscores the Capetonians’ historical challenges in matches abroad, particularly in the Champions Cup, where their away record is less formidable than their performances in the Republic.
Keohane draws comparisons to teams like the Crusaders, Toulon, Saracens, Toulouse, and the All Blacks, who achieved greatness by winning away from home.
He argues the importance of winning in unfamiliar conditions, framing the Champions Cup match between the Stormers and Stade Francais in Paris on Saturday as a crucial step for head coach John Dobson and his charges in their pursuit of top-tier status.
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“The Stormers are granite in Cape Town, but there is too much putty when they pass customs on the way out of South Africa,” Keohane writes. “They have still found a way to win in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, but it is up north overseas where they have battled the most.
“They have won five from five at home in the Champions Cup and just one from four away from home. Their overall away record is nine wins, four draws and 10 defeats in the URC and their overseas record is four wins, three draws and 13 defeats in 20 starts.
“The greatest teams, in every competition, be it the Rugby Championship, the Six Nations, the World Cup, Super Rugby, Champions Cup or the URC, win away from home more than they lose.
“The transition to exceptional can only come with winning overseas – and that would have been the message from Dobson to his troops all week.”
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