Although the Springbok season for 2025 may now be a thing of the past, there is plenty of festive season rugby to look forward to as a result of the URC and Champions Cup competitions that run over December and January, with the Stormers certainly providing plenty of reasons for celebration.
Of all the SA teams, they look far and away the best team in the country, having made a phenomenal start to the new season that sees them leading the charge in the United Rugby Championship (URC) while simultaneously kicking off their Champions Cup campaign with a statement victory.
After six rounds in the URC, the Stormers boast a perfect record of six wins from six matches, placing them firmly at the top of the overall standings with 27 points.
The Stormers also started their Champions Cup challenge on a high note, securing a crucial 26-17 away win against French Top 14 side Bayonne.
This victory was achieved despite missing several key Springboks, but that is all set to change.
Stormers set for big Springbok boost
The likes of Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Ben-Jason Dixon and Zachary Porthen are all set to be reintegrated into the playing squad in the coming weeks as the Stormers aim to maintain their dominance.
“We’re happy to have them back and we don’t see it as an interruption or as a negative thing in terms of the cohesion that we have built with the guys who were not with the Springboks,” forwards coach Rito Hlungwani stated on Monday.
“We strongly feel the Springboks will come back in and slot in properly because they really understand what we are all about, how we want to play, and it’s something that we work hard on to make sure, even when they’re not here. They consistently understand our plans and where we’re going, where we want to improve.”
Another win on the horizon?
It will be interesting to see how the Stormers opt to balance the return of their national stars, with another important Champions Cup game coming up this Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Although the Stormers will be playing their ‘home’ game in Gqeberha, they will be overwhelming favourites against La Rochelle. Kick off is at 15:00.
