Stefan Ungerer Stormers scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer’s measured approach has helped Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to flourish. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
The Stormers scored 56 terrific points in their last game against Benetton.
But a week is a long time in rugby – and they know it won’t just be a case of continuing where they left off in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Dragons at Cape Town Stadium (6.15pm kick-off).
Coach John Dobson would have been delighted with the seven-try rout of the Italian outfit, and it provided the Capetonians with the ideal momentum at just the right time in their playoff race. The Stormers are now sixth on the URC log with 45 points, and could still mathematically end fourth and secure a home quarter-final.
You would expect the Stormers to get the bonus-point job done against bottom-placed Dragons, but assistant coach Dawie Snyman is wary of dismissing the men from Newport’s challenge, especially after a bye week.
Dobson may be tempted to give some of his star players, such as flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, fullback Warrick Gelant and No 8 Evan Roos a breather this weekend, and that would make sense as well.
Manie Libbok is back from his lengthy knee injury layoff this week, and he could do with some game-time before the play-offs.
“Continuity is going to be important for us. We have to make sure that we can keep our rhythm as a group and as a team. Also, just make sure that the next in line is ready,” Snyman said this week.
“We’re not going to take anything lightly in terms of where the Dragons are. They’re actually a good side.
“They’ve been, I think, unlucky a few times. They haven’t got results, but they’ve been in the game up until the last 70 minutes. So, we have to get the balance right between those two, I think.
“There are quite a few things that still need to happen, especially at the top of the log. We don’t want to look too far ahead. It’s first this game, and then Cardiff next week Friday, which will be a tough game as well.
“Then we will see where we are. It doesn’t matter where we have to go and play that quarter-final – we just need to get there.”
The Stormers are hitting their straps at the perfect moment ahead of the play-offs, and while the big-name Springboks have been in the headlines, scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer has been one of the unsung heroes.
Paul de Wet is regarded as the best No 9 at the Cape side in many quarters, especially for his attacking play. But the 31-year-old Ungerer’s measured approach has dovetailed well with Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s all-action style too.
“Stef (Ungerer), I think he’s really quite a good leader. He understands the game and he can drive a game. Tactically, he’s one of the better guys around. He brings a bit of a calmness,” Snyman explained.
“That’s the difference between him and the other two scrumhalves (De Wet and Herschel Jantjies), who are very instinctive. You also have to look at the combination between guys – how Sacha plays and what he needs probably on his inside.
“But again, that’s probably what we need for every game and what the scenarios are in the game.
“Stef, a good head on his shoulders, a great kicking game. He understands our systems really well ... a really good defender. We’re really happy with where his game is at.
“If you look at the (Benetton) performance, it’s a lot of stuff we wanted to get right, and we did that. I think it’s going to give us confidence as a group that if we decide on a plan or understand what works for us and really execute it, that’s going to get us in really good positions to win games," he concluded.
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