The Stormers are set to face a tough challenge against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, with versatile forward Deon Fourie warning that the match will be a highly physical contest from the get-go. A sellout crowd of 55,000 supporters is anticipated for the coastal showdown, which promises to be an enthralling third-round United Rugby Championship match. Fourie expressed excitement about donning the Stormers' iconic black jersey at home.
The Sharks enter the fixture with winning momentum following back-to-back victories against Leinster and the Ospreys. Fourie emphasized the importance of physicality in the match, stating that it will be "hand-to-hand trench warfare" from the start. He noted that the Sharks have good players who can get them on the front foot, so the Stormers must be up for the physical challenge.
Fourie is eager to play in the Stormers' iconic black kit, which brings back a lot of history. He mentioned that it will be weird playing in black jerseys against the Sharks, who will be wearing white jerseys. The Stormers are actively addressing recent set-piece struggles, having lost 11 lineouts during their narrow away defeat to Edinburgh.
The Stormers' lineout issues were a significant concern in their last match, with Springbok André-Hugo Venter going off for a head assessment injury and hooker Vernon Paulo Paulo replacing him in difficult windy conditions. Fourie attributed the lineout struggles to a collective issue, stating that it's not just the hooker's responsibility but also involves the lifting and making the right calls.
Fourie expressed support for Paulo, who has faced criticism for his performance. He noted that he has been in similar situations in his career and that it's essential to review the collective side of everyone's job in a lineout. The Stormers will look to fix their set-piece struggles ahead of their clash with the Sharks.
Stormers coach John Dobson highlighted the significance of the scrum battle in the match, stating that it will show which pack is the stronger. The match is one of several exciting fixtures scheduled for Saturday, including the Bulls vs Lions match. Dobson also expressed excitement about the return of the 'Men in Black' jersey.
The Stormers are expected to welcome back key Springbok stars, including Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as they prepare for the high-intensity URC South African derby against the Sharks. The Sharks are aiming for a third straight victory, and the match promises to be a highly competitive and physical encounter.
Key points
- The Stormers will wear their iconic black jersey at home against the Sharks.
- The match is expected to be a highly physical contest from the get-go.
- The Stormers are set to welcome back key Springbok stars for the match.
