Squad depth has been key to sustaining the DHL Stormers’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship title defence plans, despite the extra workload of their maiden Champions Cup campaign.
The Stormers currently sit second in the Vodacom URC, having won nine of 13 games this season.
MVP: With Evan Roos missing a large portion of the season through either international duty or injury, Hacjivah Dayimani has more than just stepped up, he has almost made the No 8 position his own. The 25-year-old ranks as the top Stormers player in terms of defenders beaten (21) and was particularly impressive during a congested December, when the defending champions had to balance the URC with the start of the Champions Cup.
Hacjivah Dayimani and Leolin Zas delivering us 2️⃣0️⃣ seconds of sublime rugby ?
? – @ChampionsCup@Vodacom #URC | #HeinekenChampionsCup | @TheStormers pic.twitter.com/m3BL6vHVKj
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) January 15, 2023
MOST IMPROVED: Similar to Dayimani, Dan du Plessis has taken his opportunity in the absence of a Springbok (Damian Willemse). The 27-year-old centre was almost a forgotten man at the start of the season, having struggled with injuries in 2021-22. However, this season he has struck a solid partnership with Ruhan Nel and currently ranks top in the squad in terms of successful carries.
⚽️ Must be the football lines on the pitch. Midfielder Dan du Plessis with the square ball for Angelo Davids to find the back of the net. #iamastormer #dhldelivers #18area #halakasha pic.twitter.com/SDhJQjl3OS
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 15, 2023
BEST WIN: 19-46 (a) vs Sharks
The Stormers have continued their excellent run in local derbies this season, but they were no more dominant in all facets than they were against the Sharks in Durban.
WORST LOSS: 35-5 (a) vs Ulster
Ironically, the Stormers’ best win came a week after their worst loss this season, against Ulster in Belfast. The Stormers rested several key players for the trip, but then lost five players to injuries in Belfast, including Roos, who had just returned from a rib injury.
RESULTS:
W v Connacht 38-19
W v Edinburgh 34-18
W at Zebre 37-20
D at Ospreys 16-16
L at Cardiff 30-24
W at Lions 31-22
W v Scarlets 36-19
W v Dragons 34-26
W v Bulls 37-27
W v Lions 40-8
L at Glasgow 24-17
L at Ulster 35-5
W at Sharks 46-19
REMAINING FIXTURES: Bulls (a), Sharks (h), Leinster (a), Munster (h), Benetton (h).
PREDICTION: The Stormers have a favourable run to the end of the league phase of the URC, with three home games in their final five. A haul of 15 points, including losing bonus points away to the Vodacom Bulls and Leinster, should suffice to place the defending champions among the top four. From there, given their home record, the Stormers have a shot to progress to the final, where they will likely be the rank underdogs to beat Leinster in Dublin.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix