Stormers coach John Dobson believes the return of Ruan Ackermann could prove decisive in Saturday’s Vodacom URC quarter-final against Cardiff.
The experienced loose forward is set to provide power and presence off the bench at Cape Town Stadium.
Ackermann has not featured since early January, but Dobson is confident he can still make a significant impact in short bursts.
“Ruan is not at 80 minutes, but I think he’s an absolute beast for half an hour,” Dobson added.
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The Stormers have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with only Stefan Ungerer and Jurie Matthee as backline cover.
Dobson admitted there had been a temptation to go for a 5-3 split, as starting wing Seabelo Senatla was also making his way back from long-term injury.
“But if you think about it logically, probably the bigger concern would be Ruan.
“If a loose forward went down in the third minute, to ask Ruan – who is a big, physical, moving 120kg unit – to go 77 [minutes], having not played since 3 January would be an impossibility.
“So we had to have the extra loose forward,” Dobson said, referring to Marcel Theunissen.
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Dobson also explained that the versatility of players like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse meant the team could cover the backline positions.
“But I’m very pleased to have Ruan back,” he added. “I think some of our stuff, especially up north on that last trip, would have looked a bit different had he been there.”
The Stormers coach highlighted the 30-year-old’s breakdown work and defensive intensity as key assets in tight playoff rugby.
“He understands the dark arts of the game. We saw what he did against the Bulls earlier in the season … the cleanouts, the physical collisions, those things matter at this level.”
Dobson said Ackermann’s expected second-half impact could be decisive.
“He gives us a real lift late in games,” he said. “In playoff rugby, that can be the difference.”
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Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Stormers ready to unleash Ruan appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stormers coach John Dobson believes the return of Ruan Ackermann could prove decisive in Saturday’s Vodacom URC quarter-final against Cardiff.
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