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- Stormers coach John Dobson says he has made changes to his starting XV to “add energy.”
- Speaking of his slow start to Super Rugby Unlocked, Dobson says the forced breakout of the coronavirus has had a bigger impact on players than many realize.
- Supporting Steven Kitshoff adds that the players are “desperate to bounce back” against Griquas.
Stormers coach John dobson he hopes the changes made to his starting XV will give him much-needed energy for Saturday’s Super Rugby Unlocked clash against Griquas in Kimberley.
The Stormers are coming off a strong 39-6 loss to the Bulls and Dobson has made five changes to his career side.
Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche, block David Meihuizen and flank Marcel Theunissen enter the starting group, while wing Angelo Davids will make his Stormers debut and scrum-half Paul de Wet replaces Herschel Jantjies, who misses the match for compassion.
“Last week was certainly not our most energetic performance, so we want guys who can bring a lot of energy. We also have to build depth in the team, so we identified a couple of guys who needed opportunities for some games,” he added. Dobson told reporters during an online press conference Thursday.
The coach was particularly excited at the prospect of seeing full-back Davids and wing Theunissen in action.
Both players starred for the Western Province youth team at the recent Under-21 Championship held at Ellis Park.
“Those two were absolutely exceptional in the Ellis Park heat, they brought energy, so they are rewarded for that.
“Angelo has a great work ethic, he chases kicks, he has an X factor. He was scoring a couple of hat-tricks in that competition. Marcell was the captain … so I wanted to reward those guys for their performances in the under-21s. years.
“We have to win this game, I have chosen a team that I think is better to win this game. And those [new guys) will bring energy.”
Missing ingredient
The Stormers have struggled to get out of first gear in Super Rugby Unlocked and when probed on what the missing ingredient’s been, the coach shared his views: “Our big thing was to try and get territory… in every one of these games we’ve won territory… and maybe that’s come at the expense of other areas of our game.
“We’ve worked so hard at trying to bring our territory [stakes] from 40% to 50, what we can do. But obviously we have lacked a certain fluidity in the attack. Our defense has been good in this union for a long time and [last Saturday] it was a bad day at the office. “
Dobson also said he felt the coronavirus breakup has had an adverse effect on the cohesion of most teams, with the exception of the Bulls, who got a new coach in Jake White, who made several new signings during the lockout. .
“These guys have been playing for almost a year, each union … the Bulls come with a largely new roster, a new coach, and massive energy. I don’t think the other franchises are playing with the same kind of team. style, which perhaps they were before the confinement.
“Is [delay] It’s been something extraordinary, it took a lot out of the players … playing without crowds … we’re no different and I’m not trying to make excuses, but the Bulls are a new setup and that brings energy. These guys have been through a lot this year and I think that’s reflected in how we’re playing.
“We would like to play more with the attack and in some stages the passes will remain.”
Meanwhile, captain Steven Kitshoff He will play his 100th game for the Stormers on Saturday.
“I didn’t think I would be playing my 100th Super Rugby match in Kimberley, but it’s still a great honor to be able to play 100 games for the Stormers and represent such an incredible union. I’m so excited for this weekend and looking forward to the rebound.” Kitshoff said.
He added that the players were eager to win again.
“The whole group is very desperate to play a good game of rugby. We have worked hard during the preseason. We have trained well every week, but we still haven’t found our straps.
“The guys are desperate to prove themselves for 80 minutes on a Saturday. You can feel it and the amount of energy and effort that went into this week shows that the guys are willing to bounce back and give it their all for the jersey.”
Saturday’s clash starts at 4:30 p.m.
Equipment:
Griquas
15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Eduan Keyter, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Adre Smith, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli
Substitutes (from): 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Ewan Coetzee, 21 Theo Maree, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Harlon Klaasen, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Cameron Lindsay, 26 Dan Kasende
Stormers
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 David Meihuizen, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)
Substitutes (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Sazi Sandi, 20 Salmaan Moerat, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Tim Swiel, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Ruhan Nel
