Execution key as Stormers begin vital three-game URC road trip

The Stormers face an important early-season stretch in their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign as they kick off their three-match overseas tour against the Scarlets this Friday (8.45pm kick-off) in Llanelli.

With the Cape side unbeaten so far this season, the tour presents both a challenge and a golden opportunity to stamp their authority early and solidify their position near the top of the table. But this can only happen if they shake off the ghosts of poor away starts from the last couple of campaigns.

In previous seasons, they struggled early when playing in Europe. Slow starts in unfamiliar and often unforgiving conditions, lapses in execution, and differing referee interpretations have regularly cost them matches they could and should have won. Despite strong home form at the DHL Stadium, they have often had to play catch-up on the road.

This time, they enter the tour with winning momentum and early cohesion, despite some top players missing the opening games. However, consistency away from home remains the missing ingredient if they want to challenge for top honours and make a serious push for a third finals berth. John Dobson’s men have looked sharp so far, thrashing Leinster 35-0 and beating the Ospreys 26-10 most recently.

They’ve combined potent attacking flair with forward dominance. Key contributors have included captain Ruhan Nel, fullback Wandisile Simelane, winger Seabelo Senatla, and flyhalf Jurie Matthee — all stepping up impressively in the absence of Manie Libbok, utility back Damian Willemse, and first-choice flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Up front, it has been a collective effort, with strong scrums and rolling mauls led by the front row and reinforced by the physicality of No 8 Evan Roos, loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon, and locks JD Schickerling and Adré Smith.

But home wins won’t guarantee overseas success — especially against a Scarlets side eager to respond in front of a vocal Llanelli crowd after losing their opening match of the season. Their second-round duel with Connacht was postponed.

The Stormers must start strong — both in Friday’s clash and the tour as a whole — if they want to avoid another slow European run. Weather, travel, and opposition style will all differ from Cape Town, but excuses won’t cut it. This is now a mature squad, and it’s expected they front up to these challenges.

After the Scarlets, the Cape outfit face a very doable Italian job against Benetton and Zebre. If they can clear the Scarlets hurdle, there’ll be momentum for the rest of the tour. While the Italian sides may not be title contenders, both are tough at home — particularly Benetton, who can punish teams that aren’t sharp. Dropping points against any of these sides would be a step backwards.

If the Stormers are serious about lifting silverware again, they need at least two wins — ideally three — from this tour. That starts with putting the Scarlets away on Friday with clinical, disciplined rugby. They have the blueprint. Now it comes down to execution.