Champions Cup exit boosts Stormers’ URC title hopes
THE Stormers have a more realistic chance of winning the United Rugby Championship (URC) a second time after they were knocked out of the European Champions Cup on Saturday.
All their efforts and attention can now be focused on the final stages of the URC when the Ospreys travel to Cape Town next weekend.
After falling to double champions La Rochelle in the DHL Stadium by the narrowest of margins, losing 21-22, the Cape side can shift their attention to breaking into the top four of the URC and staying there for a home play-off match until the semi-finals if they end second.
They currently sit in fifth place on the points table, four points behind defending champions Munster in fifth, with five matches left.
Three of those are tricky home games against the Ospreys (April 20), Leinster (April 27), and a South African derby against the Lions (June 1). In-between these they must still travel to Wales and Ireland, where the Dragons (May 10) and Connacht (May 18) await.
But after being knocked out they will have a break from rugby this weekend, which gives their injured players time to recoup before next weekend’s clash.
Captain Salmaan Moerat and loose forwards Hacjivah Dayimani and Ben-Jason Dixon all picked up concussions but will be ready to take on the Welsh club.
Knee injuries to speedster Leolin Zas and flanker Deon Fourie will see them sit out. Fourie will likely not return to play this season.
A fresh injury in the side is that of influential lock Ruben van Heerden.
He is also set to miss the Ospreys clash but should return when Leinster come to Cape Town, most likely with an academy side as they’ve done late in previous seasons.
“Were it not for the five injuries, and we made it through, we could’ve sent a pack good enough to compete against Leinster and be ready for Ospreys,” Stormers head coach John Dobson said.
“But to take five forwards out, that is six now with a light injury, and then come back, that would’ve cost us the Ospreys game.”