The Stormers travel to England to keep their unbeaten run going against Harlequins in a Champions Cup fixture on Sunday.
Two teams at different ends of the success spectrum this season. The Stormers are flying high on a 10-match unbeaten run, whilst the Harlequins have been hammered in the English Premiership. The situation at Harlequins has become so dire that management has sent out a blunt club statement declaring recent results “not acceptable”. Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore has made it clear to his players that they are playing for their future.
Meanwhile, the Stormers will probably be rotating their team for the trip to the icy north. The last time the Stormers sent a ‘weakened’ side to Harlequins, the Cape side were thumped 53-16. Head coach John Dobson told SA Rugby Mag, “It’ll look a bit different this year.”
“It’s going to be tough. We worked out that if we want to host a [Champions Cup] play-off, we have to get a point at least. But if you’re going for a point, you might as well go for the win because nobody plays to lose within seven,” he said.
Harlequins need a win to keep their play-off hopes alive, and the imminent threat of players being released will drive the English side on even more. Whilst the Stormers are in a better position than their English counterparts, they also need a win to secure a place in the play-offs. Although they can still qualify by winning the next match at home against Leicester.
John Dobson’s planning has been tremendous this season, and the squad depth that has been built is enviable. At the moment, the Stormers look like they can show up with almost any team and walk away as winners.
Ali Vermaak and Ruan Ackermann have both been sidelined due to injury while Neethling Fouché, Evan Roos and Paul de villiers might be rested. It would be good to see Zachary Porthen getting stuck into a scrum again.
The conditions in England will be tough, and the match will be probably be played at close quarters which won’t make for a pretty spectacle.
