The Stormers are building momentum, while the Sharks continue to flounder at the start of the Vodacom URC season, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says the Stormers’ 26-10 victory over the Ospreys in Cape Town – their second win in as many weeks – showed the value of patience, grit and impact from the bench. The Welsh side struck early but were subdued once John Dobson’s team found rhythm and physicality.
A congested Friday evening kick-off limited the crowd, yet the Stormers still drew over 14,000 across two home games – more than any other URC team so far.
“It says everything for the support of the Stormers,” Keohane notes, adding that “this was a match in which momentum was always going to change the moment Paul de Villiers and BJ Dixon were introduced.”
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De Villiers, described by Keohane as “powerful over the ball, clever in his decision-making and the natural successor to Deon Fourie,” made an immediate impact at the breakdown.
Dixon added bite in the collisions, while fullback Wandisile Simelane thrilled with his counter-attacking runs. Still, Keohane cautioned that “there must be greater balance to his decision-making,” arguing that the 26-year-old is “too talented to be a one-trick pony.”
Keohane believes these hard-fought early games will steel the Stormers for their looming European tour – “a test they’ve rarely passed.”
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The Sharks, meanwhile, remain unconvincing. After a poor start and a 17-17 draw with the Dragons – last season’s bottom-placed side – Keohane says “there are just so many questions and so few answers from the boys from Durban.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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