Sazi Sandi Stormers prop Sazi Sandi is known for his strong ball carries, but his scrummaging will come under scrutiny against the Dragons. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
There will be a perfect opportunity for some Stormers youngsters to make a statement ahead of the playoffs when they face the Dragons at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (6.15pm kick-off)
With key players injured, especially up front, the Cape side will rely on some rookie front-rankers to hold the fort.
It should be the perfect match against the bottom-dwellers of the United Rugby Championship to give them a good run.
Independent Media looked at five players that could benefit from the clash...
Sazi Sandi
Praised for his ability with the ball under the arm and his defensive grafting, the scrums will be the focal point for the tighthead.
He’s been on the receiving end of a couple of scrum penalties that developed into a yellow card in his last game.
That is one area of his game he would want to set right, and with no senior prop on the bench, he will be the anchor they look to. The Stormers’ attack feeds off their scrum, and they need him at his best.
Vernon Matongo
The replacement loosehead has looked at home since getting more playing minutes for the side. His strong scrummaging abilities are perfectly complemented by his ball-carrying and tackling.
While the Stormers will have Ali Vermaak available, they will do their campaign a favour by giving Matongo the most minutes in this clash.
It’s going to be against a strong scrum, and what better way to prepare him for what lies ahead than to put him under pressure.
Zachary Porthen
Tipped to be the other tighthead on Saturday in the absence of Neethling Fouché, Brok Harris and Frans Malherbe, the former Junior Springbok should get his baptism of fire against the Welsh visitors.
After training with the Cape side since they returned from their overseas tour, he’ll be ready to dip his toes into senior rugby.
His scrummaging will come under the loop, but his ability to run with the ball and get across the park will be crucial.
Suleiman Hartzenberg
He’s lost his place in recent weeks, but will be eager to get an opportunity to prove that he is the utility back the Cape side can count on.
Playing in different positions probably hampered him more than it’s aided the youngster this season.
Wherever the Stormers decide to use him, his pace out wide and skill under the high ball could be utilised if they look to vary their game heading into the playoffs.
Hartzenberg will look to set the record straight should he get the chance.
Manie Libbok
Probably not the youngster, but a youngster in terms of minutes this season. So, Libbok will look to hit the ground running with his attacking plays. There should not be too much emphasis on him filling the boots of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
He can do that, and people will judge him on what he is doing on the field, but the Stormers will know they must give their URC-winning flyhalf enough time on the field to get his attacking and kicking mojo back.
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