Tom Dawson-Squibb remained positive after Sunday’s disappointing home loss for the Stormers XXIII, as they look to bounce back in Nelspruit in round five of the Currie Cup.
The hosts were denied by Faf de Klerk’s 80th-minute try at Athlone Stadium, going down 31-26 after leading 26-21 with 10 minutes remaining. Two bonus points keeps the sixth-placed Stormers in the mix with three rounds until the semi-finals.
“In many respects it was a good performance, I’m more positive than I expected,” the head coach said. “We did enough to win … just one too many errors at key times.”
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The Stormers had chances to put the game away but were unable to convert those into points, and skipper Jean-Luc du Plessis acknowledged the visitors made them pay.
“We left some tries out there, and deserved to be up by more at half-time,” he added. “I thought we edged it, but that doesn’t count – the scoreboard counts.”
Dawson-Squibb identified the Stormers scrum as an area that needs attention after a difficult afternoon up front.
“If you look at what our senior team does, they’re probably one of the best scrums in the URC, and we haven’t been the best scrum in the Currie Cup, that hurt us today.”
This Saturday, the Stormers will face Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas, who moved into third on the table with a narrow bonus-point win over the Vodacom Bulls XV.
“I’ve never met Jimmy, but I’ve got massive respect for what he’s done with the Pumas. He keeps churning out good players and good teams year on year,” Dawson-Squibb said.
“The smaller union, bigger union thing doesn’t really exist now in the Currie Cup, we’re all fairly similar.
“I’m not daunted going to the Pumas. I’m bitterly disappointed right now, and I’m also super-fizzed to go to Nelspruit.
“We don’t have time to sulk. Now it’s time to get flippin’ ready.”
The Stormers could also be strengthened by the return of several players, although injuries will rule out others.
“Oli Reid, hopefully his injury is gone, Wandile Mlaba and Herman Lubbe won’t be with the senior Stormers, I think Keke Morabe will probably come back, so we’ll be bolstered.
“It’s unfortunate for Josh Boulle, he’s got a bit of an injury, but maybe he’ll be back next week.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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Tom Dawson-Squibb remained positive after Sunday’s disappointing home loss for the Stormers XXIII, as they look to bounce back in Nelspruit in round five of the Currie Cup.
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