The Stormers are set to welcome back several key players from injury for Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby at Loftus Versfeld. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
The Cape side has suffered three consecutive losses in the competition to drop from first to fifth on the log and will be eager to right a listing ship at a key point in the season.
“Deon Fourie, Dan du Plessis and Ruhan Nel will be available, and Seabelo Senatla might be back,” Dobson said on Monday.
The midfield pairing of Du Plessis and Nel was crucial to the Stormers’ early-season form when they won their opening eight URC matches before long-term injuries disrupted their momentum.
Both Fourie – who last featured for the Stormers against the Scarlets in October – and Nel offer leadership experience, with Nel a crucial cog in the Stormers’ defensive system.
STATE OF THE URC: Snorting Bulls await Stormers
However, Dobson stressed that while the Stormers are eager to welcome their experienced players back, the physical challenge of a Highveld derby means careful matchday squad selection is required.
“It’s great having those guys available again, but you’ve got to manage it properly,” he said. “Loftus is not the easiest place to throw someone straight back into after a long injury.”
However, the return of the long-term absentees is good news for the Stormers, who after Saturday’s clash – a rescheduled round-eight fixture – will have six regular season games remaining before the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Stormers tighthead prop Neethling Fouché said the Stormers players are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against the Bulls pack.
“It’s not a tough game to get up for,” Fouché said. “If you ask who wants to play against the Bulls at Loftus, you’d probably have 20,000 guys putting their hands up. It’s a massive privilege.”
Fouché expects a fierce forward battle, particularly at scrum time.
“You’ve heard the clichés before, but it really is eight versus eight. The big question is which pack is going to be more connected on the day.
“Everyone is so well coached now. The Bulls have a big pack with heavy loose forwards, and we’ve got guys returning from injury, so it’s going to be a proper battle.”
HISTORY: Stormers love a trip to Loftus
Dobson expects the Bulls to lean on their strengths in front of their home crowd.
“They’ve definitely gone back to a lot of that traditional Bulls power,” he said when asked about their recent form that has seen them win three in a row, including impressive derby wins against the Lions and Sharks.
“The way they took the Lions apart at Ellis Park, running close to the breakdown, pick-and-go, big one-off runners, that was very powerful and direct.
“There is definitely a Bulls power, that traditional power element to their game, that we’ve seen of late.”
The Stormers coach also warned that conditions on the Highveld will add another layer of difficulty, with altitude allied to a 2pm kick-off.
“Loftus has space and pace, and you can’t just kick everything away there. It’s always a balancing act,” he said. “It’s a tough environment, but it’s also a great challenge for us.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Stormers’ reinforcements ready for Bulls battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers are set to welcome back several key players from injury for Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby at Loftus Versfeld.
The post Stormers’ reinforcements ready for Bulls battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
