UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Leighton Koopman|Published
The Stormers will hope their calculated risk of blending young players with proven experience over the next couple of weeks in the United Rugby Championship (URC) pays off.
With the November break coming up, the Cape side will roll the dice against the Scarlets on Saturday at DHL Stadium (4pm kick-off) with a youthful side missing several Springboks and established combinations.
Next weekend, when they take on Ulster, it could be the case again as director of rugby John Dobson gets all his players up to speed with where the team wants to be.
However, there is a big chance that the gamble of making so many changes could backfire and leave the Stormers vulnerable on Saturday. But it’s still a strong team that should get them over the line against a Scarlets side that has never beaten them in the URC.
“I feel like it’s one of the most progressive Stormers teams we’ve put out,” Dobson said ahead of the clash.
“From my point of view, in terms of the longer-term picture, it’s fantastic to be able to select this team without compromising on quality at all. It’s a progressive team with a progressive young captain. It’s very brave in terms of the internationals we’ve selected.
“It says a lot about the team. Especially with guys who have big futures. Zack Porthen (tighthead), for example, has a big future. Olly Reed (replacement loosehead prop) is a player we’re really excited about. Markus (Muller), we think, is going to be a very, very good No 12. I know he can play both positions at the moment. We obviously love Yaqeen (Ahmed, flyhalf), and Riley Norton (utility forward) completes the four (junior players) in the side.”
New scrumhalf Haashim Pead will link up with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the starting halfbacks, and this is a combination that Stormers supporters will be eager to see clicking from the get-go. So too Muller and outside centre Wandisile Simelane. Should the four gel from the start of the match, it could spark the attack of the Cape side.
Concussion rules Roche out
Another youngster, Jonathan Roche, has been doing well at inside centre alongside captain Ruhan Nel and Simelane. Dobson said they wanted to keep Roche in the midfield, but after he picked up a concussion against Bristol, he was ruled out of the battle.
Now, Muller gets his chance, although he has only had just over 10 minutes of Stormers rugby against Glasgow Warriors towards the end of last season.
“Look, we wanted to get Markus a game. He only played 14 minutes against Glasgow, so it actually worked out perfectly for us. Johnny Roach wasn’t considered because he’s got a concussion.
“There was a story suggesting that he was considering his options when his contract came up, but he’s never considered anything other than playing for the Stormers in South Africa. I’m pleased that his agent refuted that, so Johnny’s absence is purely because of concussion.”