VIDEO: Stormers' biggest concern revealed
SPOTLIGHT: Lack of depth is one of the major concerns for the Stormers, heading into the Rainbow Cup.
The four SA teams – Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers – will join 12 clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy in the Rainbow Cup.
The European competition is scheduled to kick-off on April 17.
However, given the COVID-19 global pandemic, the proposed date seems highly unlikely.
Despite the uncertainty, South African coaches are already laying the foundation for the European competition – which will be followed by the local Currie Cup campaign.
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Speaking to the media, Stormers coach John Dobson admitted that the biggest problem facing his team is lack of depth.
With just a couple of ‘Preperations’ fixtures, Dobson emphasised the importance of giving the whole squad valuable game time.
“We have to be rigid about giving guys the game time,” Dobson said.
“We could go into the Rainbow Cup with close to 30-something players and then the Springboks could be taken away. We could then be playing a Currie Cup with a few guys who has not played a minute of rugby since March 2020.”
The coach explained: “There have been no second-tier competitions, so if we fail to give accurate game time to players, we could be sitting with a Currie Cup squad member who hasn’t played since they last ran out at Under-19/Under-21 level in 2019,”
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As is the case with the Bulls and EP Elephants’ loan deal, Dobson has been looking at an attainable solution for his team’s problem.
“Before the Bulls, we chatted to EP Elephants coach Peter de Villiers and offered some fringe players to the Elephants.
“However, accommodation and other logistics was a factor. We are certainly continuing discussing it.
“We are also talking to the SWD Eagles and Boland. Hopefully, some of the other players will start playing Varsity Cup in the bubble.”
The Stormers are set to name their team to face the Griquas on Friday.
