VIDEO: 'We showed we are a really class team of international standard'
The Stormers have emerged from a winless tour and a horror run of injuries to prove why they played in consecutive United Rugby Championship Finals – winning on debut in 2022.
Having dispatched their arch-rivals, the Bulls, they now prepare for another brutal South African derby – when the Springbok-laden Sharks arrive in Cape Town on Saturday.
While injuries remain a constant theme for the Cape Town-based franchise – the Stormers lost two more players this past weekend – coach John Dobson is upbeat about his team’s prospects.
Centre Dan du Plessis will return from his quad injury to face the Sharks, a very “exciting” prospect for the Stormers coach.
It means Dobson can leave Damian Willemse at fullback and if Warrick Gelant recovers in time from the groin injury he suffered against La Rochelle it will leave the Stormers in a healthy position.
However, the much-improved form of his team is the coach’s most encouraging aspect.
“We have punched our way through that Cardiff darkest hour [a 24-31 loss in Round Six], to produce three compelling performances,” Dobson said of the two Champions Cup games – a 26-35 loss to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road and the 21-20 win over Stade Rochelais – along with the past weekend’s 26-20 triumph against their arch-rivals, the Bulls.
“We showed we are a really class team of international standard – based on the last few games,” he added.
(WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson gives a status update ahead of the Round Nine URC face-off with the Springbok-laden Sharks…)
The return of Dan du Plessis has been offset by the loss of cousin Jean-Luc du Plessis – who scored a first-half try, but left the field just before half-time with a groin injury.
Clayton Blommetjies, who replaced Du Plessis just before the break, suffered a “serious” leg injury near the hour mark and will be sidelined for some time.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies was also injured against the French outfit, but should be available for next week’s URC encounter with the Sharks.
Dobson said the team is in a good space ahead of the Sharks face-off, even though they have been reduced to a six-day week, because the players were given off Christmas day (Monday).
“It is a seven-day physical turnaround, but a six-day week,” Dobson told @rugby365com.
“We are quite used to it – going Saturday to Friday.
“It [the Sharks] is an important game for us in terms of getting to the top echelons of the [URC] league.”
The list of injuries remains extensive.
New loosehead prop recruit Lizo Gqoboka is sidelined till the middle of February with a torn pectoral muscle.
Hooker JJ Kotze could also return this week but has missed a chunk of the season already.
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe is struggling with a ‘bulging disc’ in his lower back and his return to play date is uncertain.
Lock and captain Salmaan Moerat, out with a pectoral muscle injury, won’t feature before March next year.
Fellow lock Gary Porter will be sidelined for another ‘month or so’ with an ankle injury.
No.8 Evan Roos will be sidelined for eight weeks with the jaw fracture he suffered in the recent European Cup win over Stade Rochelais.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be sidelined for a few more weeks and miss the European games in January with an ankle injury.
Former Sevens superstar Seabelo Senatla is making enough progress from the injuries sustained in a car accident to suggest he can play again – it just won’t be this season.
Wing Ben Loader (AC joint) will return in January in time for the European games, while Courtnall Skosan is also sidelined for another week or two.
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