John Dobson's Stormers have a tough week ahead as they prepare for a clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versveld. Photo: Henk Kruger Independent Media
Winning only one game away from home in the United Rugby Championship (URC) could come back to haunt the Stormers if they can't change that statistic, starting with the trip to Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
Hollywoodbets Sharks ❌
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) February 22, 2025
Emirates Lions ✅
DHL Stormers 🔜
The Vodacom Bulls bounce back from last week's home defeat 😤![CDATA[]]>🔥#VURC pic.twitter.com/TqXPmHYOGl
From their four wins in 11 matches so far, three were at home in Cape Town, while five of the seven losses came on the road, which started with another poor display in the United Kingdom in the opening away games.
Generally not a good touring side, the inaugural URC champions have it all to do over the next few matches where the DHL Stadium under Table Mountain won't be their ally. After successive losses to the Bulls and Lions, their campaign won't get any easier as they head to Loftus Versfeld for the return North vs South derby match this weekend.
The Pretoria outfit beat the Stormers for the first time in Cape Town a few weeks ago. Now there will be the opportunity for them to exact some revenge when they head to the administrative capital.
A bye week would've meant director of rugby John Dobson and his fellow coaches could've assessed their state and put some plans in place for the trip to the north and what lies beyond.
Following the match at Loftus, the Capetonians will travel to Wales and Ireland for two crunch ties against the Scarlets and Ulster. Currently, the Scarlets occupy the eighth and last playoff spot on the URC loss.
The Stormers are only three points off them and victory in Pretoria could set them on a path of jumping into the top eight. It also depends on the Scarlets losing to Ulster, who they play shortly after the North-South derby ends.
🚨 The table is shifting after today's Round 9 rescheduled showdown 🐃![CDATA[]]>🆚![CDATA[]]>🦁
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) February 22, 2025
Where on the ladder is your team? 👀 Comment with the number emoji 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/jI3p7TcsoO
But, if they can't get back to winning ways on South African soil this Saturday, there is little chance of them doing so away from home, especially looking at their travel record.
Normally, the Cape side fares well at this stage of the season when they try to lock things in towards the play-offs.
They are without several key players who are amongst the 15 players still out injured. Although star utility backs Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are reportedly close to a return, it's unlikely that they will be back for the Loftus rematch or even the two overseas games.
Instead, the Stormers will have to forge on with the players who have been doing duty lately and they'll be responsible for snapping the three-match URC losing streak they are currently on.
If they can't do it on Saturday, the road to the URC top eight will become increasingly difficult. Winning at least two of their next three matches will be crucial to keep their play-off chances alive.
Related Topics: