Stormers boss on Edinburgh: 'They're a bit like the SA teams'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It seems like the Stormers have an efficient instruction manual on how to get the better of Edinburgh.
Stormers host Edinburgh in a United Rugby Championship quarterfinal this Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium.
The last time these two sides met, they played to a 20-20 draw at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium.
The hosts dominated the fixture, however, the Stormers produced an incredible comeback despite missing some Springbok stars.
This weekend, the Stormers have the luxury of fielding a full-strength side, which includes the return of injured Springbok Herschel Jantjies.
For Edinburgh, not much will change in terms of personnel with the exception that Scotland flyhalf Blair Kinghorn is likely to get a start ahead of South African Jaco van der Walt.
“Edinburgh are a very similar team to the one that we played against in October last year, whereas we have quite a few changes from what we put out then,” Stormer coach John Dobson told reporters.
“But Edinburgh are playing more ball in hand rugby than they have in the last few years. They have some real x-factor and a pack that backs themselves. They have evolved from a more defensive set-piece game to an attacking game.”
He explained: “They’re a bit like the SA teams.
“They have a big pack with big props who want to scrum. But they also have X-factor with players like Darcy Graham. They’re not as a system based as the Irish teams, who wear you down through phases. They are not dissimilar to the Bulls.”
#ICYMI: Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone revealed that his franchise has been in contact with URC officials about the play-off draw. #URC #Bulls #Sharks #BULvSHA https://t.co/IBP4NxrqiZ
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The last time Edinburgh visited South Africa, they recorded a 21-5 win over the Sharks before suffering a very narrow 9-15 defeat to the Lions.
Dobson admitted the defeat to the Lions serve as a great blueprint for the Stormers,
“Against the Sharks there was a lot of rain,” Dobson said.
“However, we took a lot out of that Ellis Park game [against the Lions] and I know there were a few controversial things.
“But for them [Edinburgh] to compete like that against a snorting Lions team that was on a high at altitude was quite something.”
The Stormers head into the fixture on an eight-game winning streak and have lost just once at home – a 19-37 defeat to the Lions on December 4.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s last eight fixtures in the United Rugby Championship have been evenly split with four wins and four defeats while they have not managed back-to-back victories since January.
The Stormers will name their team on Friday.
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#ICYMI: Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair refused to put added pressure on his team ahead of their URC quarterfinal against Stormers. 👇#URC #Stormers #Edinburgh #STOvEDI https://t.co/pY0AKtC9sj
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