CHAMPIONS CUP
Leighton Koopman|Published
The Stormers will be hoping Damian Willemse and his fellow Springboks can inject confidence into their Champions Cup ambitions, just as they did this past weekend in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Coming off a 3-1 Greatest Rivalry Series triumph over the All Blacks, the likes of Willemse, Bok captain Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, utility forwards Deon Fourie and Paul de Villiers, and tighthead prop Wilco Louw immediately made a difference to the side.
Now, as they face Bristol Bears in their Champions Cup opener on Saturday at DHL Stadium (4.15pm kick-off), the Stormers will hope the confidence gained against the All Blacks and Sharks can be translated into the European tournament as well.
Springbok influence
Willemse was among the Springboks who featured prominently during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with the world champions getting the better of their fiercest rivals across four Tests to underline their status as the best team in the world. The versatile back believes the experience of competing against the All Blacks over a month has given the players valuable momentum heading back into the club environment.
“It definitely gives you a lot of confidence. Not only in terms of winning, but also in playing at that level against some of the best players in the world in the All Blacks,” Willemse said.
“We’ve done that for four weeks, so it definitely gives you a lot of momentum coming back to club rugby. I’m happy with where we are now, and we’re looking to continue this form because the next run of games over the next few weeks will be tough. We’ve got the Scarlets (after Bristol) next, followed by Ulster, who are also playing really good rugby.
“We want to keep this momentum going, continue playing good rugby and get the results we need to climb the log.”
Set-piece battle awaits Bristol
The Stormers will also benefit from the presence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Louw, De Villiers, Fourie and Kolisi. They all played their part during the international campaign, with Louw, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and De Villiers outstanding in the return match against the Sharks – their first appearance for the Stormers this season.
Now, it’s all about kicking on from that Sharks duel and maintaining the standards they set in the last match. If the Cape side can do that, Bristol will face a tough ask to win in the Mother City.
The Stormers set a perfect platform in the scrums and rolling mauls, and the front-row combination of tighthead Sazi Sandi, hooker JJ Kotzé and loosehead Vernon Matongo have big boots to fill. Springbok Zachary Porthen will also be bracing for a rare opportunity in the Stormers jersey should he take to the field as the replacement No 3. Louw and fellow Bok tighthead Neethling Fouché is rested for the clash.
The return of Bok eighthman Evan Roos will be a boost at the back of the scrum, but he, too, has big boots to fill after a strong display from the injured Hacjivah Dayimani in the position. It is an exciting loose trio combination with Kolisi and De Villiers and they will be ready for the physical battle with their opponents.