Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Stormers welcome Kitshoff for Cardiff tussle
CAPTAIN Steven Kitshoff makes his return for the Stormers ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash with Cardiff Blues on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
Kitshoff is back to take his place at loosehead prop after being rested last week, with Brok Harris shifting across to tighthead and Neethling Fouche on the bench.
The on-fire backline that did duty in their 55-7 thrashing of Zebre Parma in Stellenbosch last week is unchanged.
The Stormers ran in nine tries to the Italians’ one, and while they have shown promising glimpses so far this season, last week was no doubt the game in which their backs looked as dangerous as ever this season.
Dobson and Co will need no reminding that things will only get tougher from here on. There are bigger opponents awaiting in their six remaining home games, and ensuring they get the points on offer at home will go a long way as far as the play-offs are concerned.
The only other change to the Stormers’ match-day squad sees hooker Chad Solomon come onto the replacements’ bench in place of Andre-Hugo Venter who sustained an injury last weekend.
Venter, who replaced Scarra Ntubeni at the Danie Craven Stadium at the weekend, was on crutches after the game, with Dobson later saying that his injury could be consequential.
After their win over Zebre, Dobson said: “He (Venter) came off with an ankle injury and we thought we could give him some game time seeing as we were so far ahead, but that didn’t work out, unfortunately, and it could be problematic for us if he is ruled out for some time. We are a bit thin at hooker.”
Zooming in on their next game, Dobson said that the focus is on building some winning momentum after last week’s performance against Zebre Parma.
“We have managed to keep some continuity in our team this week which is pleasing.
“We know that we can improve in many areas and we will have to be sharp as ever to get the result we need on Sunday,” he said.
The Stormers are eighth on the URC standings.