CHAMPIONS CUP
Leighton Koopman|Published
The Stormers will once again look to lay the platform for victory up front when they launch their Champions Cup campaign against Bristol Bears in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Cape side’s forwards set the tone in last weekend’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks, laying the foundation for a dominant display that allowed the backline to flourish. They will need to bring that same physicality and scrum dominance against Bristol, while ensuring they play in the right areas of the field to keep the pressure firmly on the visitors.
IOL Sport takes a look at five key Stormers players who could make the difference at DHL Stadium (4.15pm kick-off).
Sazi Sandi (tighthead)
It’s a rare start for the powerful yet mobile front-rower, and he will have a lot of weight on his shoulders when it comes to the scrums for the Cape side. There is a standard to uphold after last weekend’s demolition of Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit by the Stormers’ front row.
Sandi will know this is an opportunity for him to show that he can fill the boots of Wilco Louw and Neethling Fouché in the scrums and contribute with his carries and breakdown work.
Vernon Matongo (loosehead)
There is no doubt that Matongo is a brilliant prospect for the Stormers, and now he has an opportunity to step out of the shadow of Springbok Ntuthuko Mchunu against the Bears. Much like Sandi, he has had to bide his time on the replacement bench for a while, but this start will mean a lot to him.
If he can put in another dominant display in the scrums, as he did last weekend, and drive the rolling mauls forward, it could put him in a position to fight for more regular starting minutes.
JJ Kotzé (hooker)
There will be a lot of pressure on Kotzé’s shoulders as he steps into the No 2 jersey after some excellent performances by Springbok André-Hugo Venter. The Stormers’ scrum and lineout, with Venter in the middle, have been dominant in all their games so far. Kotzé had a taste of the action against the Sharks.
He will be eager to show that he is still firmly in the battle for the starting hooker jersey. For the Stormers to get any good rolling mauls going, Kotzé’s throwing must be spot on, while his work on defence and at the breakdown will also come under scrutiny.
Evan Roos (eighthman)
The Springbok hardman will get his first run-out of the season in an important home game after picking up an injury at the start of the campaign. In his absence, Hacjivah Dayimani put in some strong performances in the No 8 jersey. But with Dayimani out with a concussion, Roos gets an opportunity to emphasise why he is the incumbent eighthman.
He will have to put in an all-round performance, using his stopping power on defence and at the breakdown while also setting up an attacking platform with his carries over the gainline. Against a strong defence, Roos will have his work cut out for him.
Jonathan Roche (inside centre)
The rookie inside centre handled the pressure of facing Springbok star André Esterhuizen brilliantly against the Sharks. That same intensity in defence and attack will be needed to stop Bristol from running riot in the midfield. Roche’s game has grown, and the faith the Stormers have placed in him shows it.
Now, it’s time to repay the coaches with another solid performance. His distribution last weekend was excellent and allowed the Cape side to vary their attack, which caught the Sharks unawares. Expect some gainline runs from Roche as well.