Dayimani gets Stormers' hearts Racing
01/17/2025 06:34 AM
The enigmatic Hacjivah Dayimani made a name for himself as a secret weapon at the Stormers but on Saturday night he will be a double agent serving Racing 92 in blocking his former team's path to the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages.
The Stormers picked up their first Champions Cup win of the season with a 40-0 demolition of Sale Sharks last week and now target a third successive qualification for the Round of 16 when they face Top 14 outfit Racing 92 at Paris La Defense Arena in the final round of EPCR pool fixtures.
Level on points with Harlequins and Sale in Pool 4, the Stormers will progress to the knockouts if they win, and other results go their way. While Racing 92 are out of knock-out stages contention and haven't won in five matches since the first week of December, they still pose a threat.
It sets the stage for Dayimani – who has scored two tries in 11 appearances since joining Racing last year – to man the roadblock of the Stormers' knockout stages quest.
After four seasons with the Lions, Dayimani returned to the city of his birth in 2021 and made a big impression for the Stormers in Cape Town. Forming a formidable back-row combination alongside the Springbok duo of veteran openside Deon Fourie and blockbusting No 8 Evan Roos, Dayimani played a key role in the Stormers claiming the inaugural Vodacom URC in 2022.
His popularity in Cape Town grew when he revelled in his playing kit for almost a week following the URC final.
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Dayimani only enhanced his reputation on the field the next season. Shifting from blindside flank to No 8 in the injury absence of Roos, he reshaped the perception of the position with his athleticism and enterprise.
Unlike the classic power-running eighthman, Dayimani fed the Stormers' appetite for speed, a rapid 103kg loose forward with a unique style of winning in the trenches when required.
Blistering pace and a wicked sidestep makes Dayimani better suited to the wide channels where he's a physical mismatch against diminutive backs.
His Player of the Match performances last season against Sale and the Vodacom Bulls showcased his rare blend of physicality and athleticism as he featured prominently as a creator and finisher.
Dayimani's distinction is not confined to the four white lines, as his personal style is expressed in nail polish, dyed hair and eclectic ensembles which have made the move to Paris, the fashion hub of the world, a trip to utopia.
On the field, his inside knowledge of the Stormers' mindset and approach make him an invaluable asset to Racing.
"We know Hacjivah really well and he'll also have some inside information on us," said Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman.
"You need to be aware when he has the ball and hopefully we can contain him. If he gets a bit of space, he's dangerous. Luckily, we've seen a lot of that in training. We know his habits so hopefully we can put him down."
Photo: EPCR Rugby
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