Stormers can make all SA rugby fans proud
The Stormers have carried SA’s flag with pride in the United Rugby Championship and the nation will unite behind them when they play Munster in Saturday’s final. For once provincial rivalries will be forgotten and Mzansi’s passionate fans will rally behind the Cape franchise in what promises to be an epic final. Victory in front of a partisan 55,000 sell-out crowd at the Cape Town Stadium will be a huge boost for SA rugby in a World Cup year. It would be the perfect scene-setter for the Boks who kick off their World Cup defence in France in September.
The Stormers, crowned URC champions in 2022, have shown they are not one-season wonders.
They won many new fans in Gqeberha in 2022 when they opted to play a URC game against the Dragons at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Though they were playing away from their Cape Town base, 15,000 fans turned up to watch the Stormers beat the visiting team from Wales.
The stands were awash with Stormers ’ flags and it is hoped the popular Cape team will bring another match to Gqeberha when the new season kicks off.
Coach John Dobson and his team have momentum behind them as they bid to topple a confident Munster outfit.
With the World Cup on the horizon, several members of the Stormers squad are solidifying their strong World Cup credentials.
With the availability of Bok captain Siya Kolisi in doubt after a knee operation, there is talk inspirational Stormers skipper Steven Kitshoff could be in line for the captain’s armband.
Rampaging Stormers centre Dan du Plessis has also put his name into the hat for World Cup selection after a series of stirring displays.
Stormers pivot Manie Libbok is also showing his full potential and he is also in the frame for a trip on the plane to France.
With Bok coach Jacques Nienaber set to leave the national set-up after the World Cup there is speculation Dobson could find himself on the Bok shortlist.
Dobson, though, appears to have ruled himself out of the Bok job indicating he still has unfinished business at the Stormers.
A Stormers victory on Saturday will make all SA’s rugby fans proud.