Springbok legend Bryan Habana has delivered a clear blueprint for the Stormers ahead of their Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon in France.
At the heart of it is finding a way to silence the home support.
“The one thing I would definitely suggest to Dobbo [Stormers coach John Dobson], Dawie Snyman and the team is that they need to try to silence the crowd,” Habana said on the Keo & Zels show.
“As soon as you silence a crowd anywhere away from home, you know you’re getting under their skin and making life difficult for them.”
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Habana – who played for Toulon between 2013 and 2018 – expects a brutal, arm-wrestle contest, where physical dominance and clinical execution will decide the outcome.
“South Africans are known for physicality – and I think Bakkies Botha was probably the best example of that at Toulon. As soon as you step up the physical side, it matters.
“But in a game like this, the opportunities are going to be few and far between, and the Stormers haven’t always capitalised on their opportunities over the last couple of weeks.”
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The former Bok winger believes the Stormers must strike the right balance between power and precision if they are to upset a Toulon side stacked with international quality.
“So it’s the clinical aspect, but also the physical side: dominate the Toulon forward pack. They’ve got a lot of internationals still there – the likes of Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Charles Ollivon.
“Ollivon has just won the Six Nations with France and has been a stalwart in that Toulon jersey, even since my days there.”
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With chances expected to be limited, Habana stressed the importance of making every moment count.
“So again, arriving physically and then using the skill set to maximise the chances you get – because I don’t see there being many. If you don’t use those to the best of your ability, rugby is a very tough game to win.”
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Despite the challenge, Habana is backing the Stormers to front up.
“From a South African perspective, I’d love to see the Stormers go and do their thing in Toulon. I think Toulon are going to be a tough nut to crack.
“One thing I will say is that if the Stormers were going to go anywhere, Toulon is the best weather-wise to go and play rugby in the northern hemisphere. It’ll probably be between 18 and 22 degrees.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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