With a first place URC log finish now out of their hands, beating Cardiff with a bonus point will be the top priority for the Stormers in the Welsh capital on Friday.
To Win
Cardiff | Draw | Stormers
Handicap
Cardiff | Stormers
Match context
The Capetonians managed to salvage a 38-all draw at Ulster last week thanks to a last-gasp penalty try, but it arguably should not have come to that. John Dobson’s men had multiple chances to close out the result but allowed Eric O’Sullivan to score on 74-minutes to put themselves under pressure before ultimately going on to salvage a draw.
That result saw them surrender top spot heading into this the final weekend of round robin fixtures, and they trail new leaders Glasgow Warriors by a single log point.
The Glaswegians kick off their final round matchup against eighth-placed Ulster in Belfast at the same time as the Stormers in what will be a massive challenge for Franco Smith’s men. Ulster are still fighting hard to secure their playoff participation and are certainly capable of knocking Warriors over, a possibility that will give the Stormers plenty of hope.
Not that they will rely on that this weekend though. With top spot within touching distance, the inaugural tournament winners will be fully focused on producing the goods as they brace for the challenge of Cardiff at the Arms Park in a potentially season-defining game for both teams.
The Blue and Blacks sit precariously in seventh: level on points with Ulster (eighth), just one-point above Connacht (ninth) and trailing the fourth-placed Bulls by four-points. There’s just no telling how the final composition of the top half of the log will look by the conclusion of the weekend, but Cardiff will obviously be doing all they can to put last week’s 40-17 defeat in Glasgow behind them and cause on upset on Friday.
Working to Corniel van Zyl’s side’s advantage will be the fact that they are yet to lose to the Stormers at the Arms Park, with each team having claimed two wins apiece in the previous four encounters between them.
Players to watch
Taine Basham (Cardiff)
Cardiff’s No 8 has a reputation for his impressive ball-carrying ability, a skillset that will come in handy against a Stormers pack containing the likes of tearaway opposite number Evan Roos. If Basham can earn some solid go-forward for his side and get into the faces of the visitors’ heavymen, he will create opportunities for his teammates to gain control of the contest.
Warrick Gelant (Stormers)
The 2019 World Cup winner has endured a mixed last few seasons in Cape Town and has been guilty of making more than his fair share of unforced errors during that time. He missed as many as five tackles against Ulster and considering the number of high-quality options available to John Dobson at fullback, Gelant has to up his game or risk falling out of favour next term.
This final regular game, as well as the upcoming knockouts, could prove to be a watershed moment in the career of the 30-year-old.
Tactical overview
The likes of Basham will be integral if Cardiff are to stand up to the substantial attacking threats of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the rest of the Stormers players, and he and fellow back rowers James Botham and Daniel Thomas will have big roles to play on Friday — especially with Deon Fourie out injured again.
The Stormers flyhalf scored two more tries in Round 17 and will be central for the visitors in cold Cardiff conditions. Van Zyl’s team were guilty of giving Glasgow plenty of attacking room last week, something that would not have gone unnoticed by Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and the 24-year-old will be licking his chops at the prospect of having a run at the Cardiff defence.
Cardiff were also thoroughly outmatched by Warriors’ trademark driving maul, and this will also be an area worth keeping an eye on as the Stormers’ pack look to inflict maximum damage at set piece time.
Prediction
Despite having never won in Cardiff, get on the Stormers to rise to the occasion this week by claiming a bonus point and clearing the handicap.
