Ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season we take a closer look at each of the 18 teams participating. Next up, the Stormers.
The Stormers will once again spearhead the South African challenge and although they have under achieved in this competition over the years, they possess several exciting players who will be determined to improve on their overall showing from 2016 when they were knocked out in the first round of the play-offs.
Head coach Robbie Fleck has added New Zealander Paul Feeney to his backroom staff as a skills coach and it will be interesting to see how his coaching methods influence the way men from the Cape approach the game this year.
Last Year: Although the Stormers finished at the top of Africa Conference 1, it wasn’t always plain sailing and they eventually won 10 out of their 15 fixtures during the league phase of the competition.
They kicked off with back-to-back wins over the Bulls and Cheetahs, although that latter result proved costly when first-choice fly-half Robert du Preez sustained a knee injury in the process.
They then lost at home to the Sharks but bounced back to beat the Brumbies in their next match with Du Preez’s replacement, Kurt Coleman, particularly impressive.
They then claimed a narrow win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires but shortly before their next match – at home against the Sunwolves – Coleman’s season was ended prematurely due to a knee injury sustained at training. Head coach Fleck then handed the number ten jersey to Jean-Luc du Plessis, who caught the eye with several superb performances in the playmaker role.
Du Plessis did well to guide the team into the play-offs but the injury curse struck again when he hurt his ankle in the last match before the play-offs, against the Kings in Cape Town.
Du Preez was fit by then and started at fly-half in the quarter-final clash against the Chiefs but failed to deliver the goods as the Stormers suffered a humiliating 60-21 loss at home to bow out of the competition.
This Year: Unlike 2016, the Stormers will not be facing Australian sides but their New Zealand counterparts which makes the challenge much tougher this year.
However, that could work in their favour – if they manage to reach the play-offs – as playing the tougher New Zealand sides should stand them in good stead if they were to face a side from one of the other countries during the knockout rounds.
Once again, they have been drawn in Africa Conference 1 alongside the Bulls, Cheetahs and Sunwolves. Although the Stormers will be favourites to top the pool again this year, it should much tougher as the Bulls have shown signs of improvement while the emergence of the Cheetahs – after their Currie Cup triumph – should make them a threat as well.
As with all teams who are genuine play-off contenders, winning at home is imperative and how they fare against the New Zealand franchises – especially their away fixtures against the Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes during late May and early April – will be crucial if they want to attain that goal.
It must be remembered that they are amongst the best touring teams in South Africa and impressive showings in New Zealand should set them up nicely for the latter rounds of the league phase of the tournament.
Key players: In South Africa’s Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and fellow Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, the Stormers have arguably the best second row combination in the competition. Both are dynamic players, who combine superb athletic ability with great physicality and they will be expected to the lead the charge up front.
With co-captain Juan de Jongh set to miss a large chunk of the season due to injury, there will be a huge responsibilty on the shoulders of fellow Springbok Damian de Allende in the midfield. After several below standard performances in 2016, De Allende will be determined to make a positive impact this season.
Players to watch: After a brilliant career on World Rugby’s international Sevens circuit, Blitzbok flyer Seabelo Senatla will be champing at the bit to showcase his attacking skills in the 15-a-side game.
Another player who will be keen to hit the ground running is Springbok flanker Siya Kolisi who missed the latter part of the 2016 season after sustaining an ankle injury in that play-off loss to the Chiefs at Newlands.
Meanwhile, Scotland centre Huw Jones – who joins the squad after the Six Nations – will be keen to leave the Cape Town-based outfit on a high before heading to Glasgow Warriors where he will further his career.
Prospects: The Stormers have made no secret about their plans to play a fast-paced attacking game and with Feeney on board as part of the coaching staff, there should be improvement in that department. Once again, they should reach the play-offs but they lack depth in their ranks and it will be a surprise if they advance to the semi-finals.
Players In: Caylib Oosthuizen (EP Kings), Frans van Wyk (Western Province), Martin Fereirra (Kings), Chad Solomon (Western Province), Ramone Samuels (Lions), Eduard Zandberg (Western Province), Stephan de Wit (Lions), Marnus Schoeman (Pumas), Cobus Wiese (Western Province), Juarno Augustus (Western Province), Jaco Coetzee (Western Province), Dewaldt Duvenhage (Perpignan), Damian Willemse (Western Province), Dan Kriel (Bulls), Eduan Keyter (Western Province), Seabelo Senatla (Springbok Sevens), Bjorn Basson (Bulls), Khanyo Ngcukana (Western Province), SP Marais (Bulls)
Players Out: Vincent Koch (Saracens), JP Smith (Released), Mike Willemse (Kings), Jean Kleyn (Munster), David Ribbans (Northampton Saints), Schalk Burger (Saracens), Jacques Vermeulen (Sharks), Louis Schreuder (Kings), Nic Groom (Northampton Saints), Ryno Eksteen (Cheetahs), Cornal Hendricks (Toulon), Johnny Kotze (Bulls), Scott van Breda (Released), Jaco Taute (Munster)
Fixtures
Saturday, 25 February v Bulls (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 4 March v Jaguares (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 11 March v Kings (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth)
Round 4: BYE
Saturday, 25 March v Sunwolves (Singapore National Stadium, Singapore)
Saturday, 1 April v Cheetahs (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 8 April v Chiefs (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 15 April v Lions (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 22 April v Crusaders (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)
Friday, 28 April v Highlanders (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
Friday, 5 May v Hurricanes (tbc)
Round 12: BYE
Friday, 19 May v Blues (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 27 May v Sharks (Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 1 July v Cheetahs (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 8 July v Sunwolves (Newlands, Cape Town)
Saturday, 15 July v Bulls (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
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