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To Win
Stormers | Draw | Connacht
Handicap
Stormers | Connacht
Match context
John Dobson’s men have accumulated 51-log points from their 11 wins to date and trail log-leading Glasgow Warriors by just four points. Given they host the Scottish club in an almighty encounter next week, beating Connacht on Saturday would put them in an ideal position from which to potentially overtake the 2024 champions on the table.
The Stormers last played two weeks ago after being knocked out of the Champions Cup round of 16 in a one-point defeat at Toulon, and with just one trophy now to play for, will be dialled in and going all out for a shot at a second URC title this season.
The news of the passing of long-serving team manager Chippie Solomon this week will serve as added motivation as Connacht arrive on the west coast, with Dobson telling the press mid-week that his team want to honour his memory with a big performance – something which could spell bad news for the western Irish outfit.
The Stormers boss also spoke of Connacht’s attacking threats, with the Stuart Lancaster-coached side impressing with their ball in hand ability from second and third phase. Additionally, Connacht are the top ranked team in the competition on defence, and are looking like a side set to maintain an upward trajectory under the tutelage of the experienced former England boss.
Lancaster’s team come off the back of a EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal defeat to Montpellier and currently sit ninth on the URC standings – just a point off the top eight. With tough away games in Johannesburg and Edinburgh, as well as a home clash with Munster still to come, their playoff hopes rely heavily on their performances on this South African tour with two defeats potentially spelling the end of their post-season ambitions.
Players to watch
Hacjivah Dayimani (Stormers)
Dayimani has picked up where he left off for the Stormers after his brief spell in the Top 14, featuring prominently for the side since his return a few months back and starting the Champions Cup round of 16 loss at Toulon. After almost being converted to wing by Racing 92 coaches Joe Rokocoko and Freddy Michalak, the 28-year-old seems glad to be back permanently on the side of the scrum and will be an important figure as his team aim at securing a first place finish in the competition.
Whether he starts again at flank or is introduced off the bench, Dayimani’s sheer athleticism will cause Connacht problems when in possession as the Stormers look to make it four wins in the URC in a row.
Matthew Devine (Connacht)
Ulster-bound Devine was one of a few Connacht players who produced a solid shift against Montpellier, kicking well and showing great hands in the build-up to Dylan Tierney-Martin’s first-half try. Coming up against Springbok veteran Cobus Reinach this weekend, the 24-year-old scrumhalf will be hoping for more good touches in the face of what will be a huge test for his side in the Cape.
Tactical overview
Connacht had no answers to Montpelier’s maul last week, and this may be an area which the Stormers could target. The Irish outfit were demolished up front in this regard and considering the Stormers’ lineout accuracy so far in the tournament (they’re ranked second in the competition overall in this department), they could inflict more misery close to the Connacht tryline.
Lancaster’s men also copped three yellow cards in the opening half alone against the Top 14 team, ultimately setting themselves up for defeat, and a similarly ill-disciplined showing could open the door for the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to put his strike runners through and cause mayhem on the visitors’ defence.
It is also difficult to ignore the impact the passing of Solomon will have on the Stormers, and it may be a case of wrong place, wrong time for Connacht if the hosts are able to positively channel their emotion into a speedy and accurate performance.
The Stormers hold a substantial psychological edge over Connacht, having won four of the five meetings between the sides in the URC, and it would be a surprise not to see that record extended to five matches come the conclusion of Saturday’s affair in the Mother City.
Prediction
The Stormer to clear the handicap and advance their case for finishing in top spot.
