Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg is back from injury and will hope to continue his good run of form for the Stormers in the URC. Photo: Phando Jikelo Independent Newspapers
Image: Phando Jikelo Independent Newspapers
The Stormers are bracing themselves for a running game from the Scarlets, and look set to fight fire with fire in their United Rugby Championship clash in Llanelli on Saturday (5pm kick-off).
Boosted by the return of Boks Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and exciting youngster Suleiman Hartzenberg, the Cape side will, for the first time in a while, have more playmakers at the back than just Warrick Gelant.
Over the last couple of months, in the injury absence of Willemse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok, there was almost an overreliance on Gelant to make his magic work in the backs.
Sometimes it paid off, but with most of his other teammates not on his attacking wavelength, opportunities mostly went astray.
With the Bok duo back, the inaugural URC winners will now have three playmakers, who understand each other, for Saturday’s all-important duel.
Therefore, they will be in a perfect position to counter the attack of the Scarlets and set their speedsters away should the weather conditions allow for a game of running rugby.
Dawie Snyman, the Stormers backline coach, said this week that the team will be wary of the home side’s running game.
The Scarlets will have their Welsh outside backs available for the game after the Six Nations, and the Capetonians will keep a keen eye on that threat out wide.
“They are an attacking-minded team and like to keep the ball in hand,” Snyman said.
“Dwayne Peel (their coach) loves to play a running game of rugby. That is where those types of players are dangerous. If they play at that level (for Wales), they know what they are doing. We must be aware of that.
“They had a lot of time to prepare for this clash, I think their last game was on the 15th of February.
“They had ample time to go through our games and have a good look at us, so they will be well-prepared. They were also waiting for us to travel there.”
While it’s safe to assume that Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse will be parachuted straight back into the side, director of rugby John Dobson must decide who will be his scrumhalf and winger combination.
Hartzenberg’s ability under the high ball, his explosiveness on attack and good defence should make it easy to slot him into the place of Englishman Ben Loader.
Deciding between scrumhalves Paul de Wet and Herschel Jantjies is a difficult one.
Both are speedy behind the scrum and rucks, but the tactical kicking and who executes better could be the deciding factor.
The injured Ben-Jason Dixon must be replaced among the forwards.
If they are after a fast-paced game, Marcel Theunissen could be the one to join Deon Fourie and Evan Roos in the loose trio. There is also the bulk of Willie Engelbrecht or Dave Ewers that could add to the physicality.
Dobson will announce his side for the first tour match on Friday afternoon.