Both teams remain undefeated in their last five outings, and points difference alone separates them. It doesn’t get much closer than this. The DHL Stormers will tavel to Ireland to face Munster not only for bragging rights, but also for top spot on the log.
Munster face a DHL Stormers side that boasts the best defensive record so far this season, having conceded only four tries in their five games.
The DHL Stormers have secured three of their five victories this season on the road, beating Scarlets, Zebre, and Benetton on tour before the November Test break – marking the first time they have achieved a trio of successive away victories in the Vodacom URC.
However, the DHL Stormers will also know that their only previous victory on the road against an Irish province came when they beat Connacht 16-12 in Galway in May 2024, while Munster have won four out of five clashes with the Capetonians.
This represents without a doubt the match of the weekend in the URC. If you miss any matches, just don’t miss this one. The Stormers have been playing superb rugby, with all facets of their game firing on all cylinders. A match of this magnitude will possess a Test match atmosphere about it. Alex Codling, Munster’s forwards coach, told the Irish Mirror that parallels exist between how the Stormers play and how the Springboks play.
“In terms of a massive scrum, a big maul, a transition kicking game and really trying to go hard on those pressure points. South African rugby rides high at the moment. We expect an extremely physical game,” he said.
Munster welcome back a slew of Irish internationals for this clash, while many of the Stormers’ top guns remain in Wales. Although the Stormers might face the disadvantage of missing many of their Boks from the squad whilst playing away, the strong defensive efforts from the Capetonians might just see them trump the Irish.
Johan Cruyff said “If you score, you might win; if they don’t score you can’t lose.” This type of philosophy has given the Stormers their defensive edge.
The Match kicks off at 19:30 SAT.
