URC playoffs: Stormers must hit a home run
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The Stormers have been on a roller coaster this season but they’ve done enough to stay in playoff contention – a run of home games could see them make up lost ground.
Across all competitions, the Cape outfit has this season endured two four-match slumps, punctuated by a three-win streak. The 19-16 win over the Vodacom Bulls in round 12 ended a three-match losing streak in the URC and provided a much-needed boost ahead of a two-week break.
URC PLAYOFFS: Consistency key for Bulls
Now placed 12th with 28 points, the Stormers face a defining stretch. An overseas tour kicks off next Saturday with the clash against Scarlets in Llanelli, before a trip to Belfast to face Ulster. Scarlets, in a slump after three defeats in five matches, are a very beatable opponent if the Stormers can carry their momentum forward.
However, the Ulstermen – who snapped a run of two defeats with a narrow win against Scarlets last time out – will pose a tough challenge for John Dobson's men at Kingspan Stadium.
In the three seasons South African teams have been competing in the URC, no team has earned a playoff spot with less than 48 log points. The Stormers are on 28 and their redemption mission to claim a playoff spot begins with positive steps on the road.
A haul of four to five points from their two-match tour is essential to keep top-eight hopes alive. After that, it's all about maximising home advantage in the final four league games at Cape Town Stadium.
Connacht, Benetton, Cardiff and Dragons all visit the Mother City. Connacht (9th) and Cardiff (6th) pose the biggest threats, while Benetton (13th) and Dragons (16th) are struggling and present opportunities for bonus-point wins.
Last season, the Stormers found success against the majority of these opponents. The inaugural URC champions dispatched Scarlets 52-7 and edged Ulster 13-7 at home, while securing away wins against Connacht (16-12) and Dragons (44-21). However, losses to Cardiff (31-24) and Benetton (20-17) serve as reminders that no result is guaranteed.
Injuries have played a major role in the Stormers' struggles but reinforcements are on the horizon. Jurie Matthee has done well in the No 10 jersey but the reintroduction of Springboks Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok will provide a much-needed attacking spark. Speedster Suleiman Hartzenberg is also nearing a return, adding further depth to the backline.
The Stormers have no European distractions after their exit from the Investec Champions Cup and failure to qualify for the second-tier EPCR Challenge Cup. With fewer travel demands than their South African rivals, Dobson's men have a prime opportunity to make their upcoming fixtures count.
However, the Stormers must navigate the overseas tour successfully and anything less than three wins from four in the shadow of Table Mountain will likely see their campaign end before the knockout stages.
Stormers' 2024-25 URC results:
R2: Ospreys 37-24 Stormers
R3: Zebre 5-36 Stormers
R4: Edinburgh 38-7 Stormers
R5:Stormers 34-19 Munster
R6: Stormers 17-28 Glasgow
R7: Sharks 21-15 Stormers
R8: Stormers 29-10 Lions
R9:Stormers 24-20 Sharks
R10: Leinster 36-12 Stormers
R1: Stormers 32-33 Bulls (rescheduled)
R11: Lions 30-23 Stormers
R12: Bulls 16-19 Stormers
Stormers' upcoming URC matches:
at SCARLETS: Saturday 22 March, Llanelli, 5pm
at ULSTER: Friday 28 March, Belfast, 9.35pm
vs CONNACHT: Saturday 19 April, Cape Town, 4pm
vs BENETTON: Saturday 25 April, Cape Town, 6.15pm
vs DRAGONS: Saturday 10 May, Cape Town, 6.15pm
vs CARDIFF: Friday 16 May, Cape Town, 7pm
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post URC playoffs: Stormers must hit a home run appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
