DHL Stormers Do Not Mind Underdog Tag Against Hollywoodbets Sharks

 

The DHL Stormers will travel to Durban for their first Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture after the international break. The match is scheduled to start at 17:00 (SA Time) at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Despite the Hollywoodbets Sharks having several frontline Springboks available it is known that they see the United Rugby Championship as just a "tool" to prepare for the Investec Champions Cup.

Assistant coach Dawie Snyman said that despite many speculating that Stormers will be heading to Durban as underdogs even though the Sharks have never beaten them in the URC and haven’t won a big coastal derby since early 2021.

"Obviously we want to prove to ourselves first. I don't think it's about the team or what they have. I think we're really proud in the way we want to play and produce and get results for not just ourselves but for everyone in Cape Town."

"We've been good when we were the underdogs and we actually brought a small circle in terms of intensity and focus. I think it's an opportunity for us now just to start that part of the season where we have a few home games coming and really trying to get our game going."

Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman confirmed that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be fit to play on Saturday, while he also expects that returning Springbok Manie Libbok is also likely to be available for the Stormers on Saturday.

“Sacha has been doing well in training and he will be available for selection this week."

“Manie is only arriving back in South Africa this afternoon but we will speak to him and see where he is at before we train tomorrow. He could also be available to play on Saturday.”

Snyman confirmed the state of recovery of several star players who is expected to return so.

“Damian Willemse was ruled out for 12 weeks so it will be a while before he plays for us again. We have had five weeks of his period out, so there are seven to go."

It appears that apart from loosehead prop Ali Vermaak, Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be the only player who has been on the Stormers' injured list that will be ready to play against the Sharks.

“Salmaan Moerat isn’t back yet, he might be back the following week, Frans Malherbe is also out for another week. Evan Roos is due back at the end of December, and we are expecting Deon Fourie back in a few weeks. BJ Dixon was also injured against Glasgow and he won’t be back this week either.”