This could be the worst time for the Stormers to go on their tour of Australia.
They are leaving later than usual, and will be without their co-captains and a couple more influential players for the two-week trip. But these two weeks are likely to define their Super Rugby season as far as playoff hopes are concerned.
In the past, the Stormers have normally left for their tours of Australasia on a Sunday. But, because they had quite a few players who were in action for the Springboks against Ireland on Saturday, they will only be leaving for their two-match tour today.
But they just have to make the best of the situation ahead of the matches against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday (kickoff 11.45am) and the Force in Perth a week later, because they need at least one win on tour to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Stormers lead Africa Conference 1 going into the last three rounds of matches. They are four points ahead of the Bulls, who have to face the Jaguares, Sunwolves and Cheetahs in their remaining fixtures. The Stormers face the Kings at home in their last match of the round-robin phase.
“This is obviously a crucial tour for us, and the players know that we are in for two challenging matches in Australia,” Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said yesterday.
“With our international players only joining us this week, we have had to travel later than we usually would, but the benefit of that is that we are travelling together as a united group.
“There are some new faces in the squad, and it is a great opportunity for them to experience a tour with the Stormers. We have to gain some momentum in this final phase of the competition to keep our destiny in our own hands,” he added.
But, despite the tough circumstances facing them on tour, the Stormers will also be without a few key men for the trip.
Veteran loose forward Schalk Burger will captain the side in Australia in the absence of co-captains Juan de Jongh (Springbok Sevens) and Frans Malherbe (neck injury). Malherbe’s injury, picked up on national duty on Saturday, will keep him out for around two to three weeks.
Another player who will not be part of the squad is fullback Cheslin Kolbe, who is also on Sevens duty.
But the Stormers will be boosted by the return of fit-again lock Jean Kleyn, prop Wilco Louw and utility back Jaco Taute. Huw Jones is also back in the mix following an injury and international duty for Scotland. He may be considered as a fullback in Kolbe’s absence on this trip.
“Schalk Burger is one of the most experienced players in South African rugby, and he is certainly no stranger to the captaincy role, so we will draw on his leadership abilities as much as we can,” Fleck said.
The Stormers coach said that despite the unique challenges of travelling so late in the season and leaving late in the week, the squad is excited and wanting to make the most of their time in Australia.
“Having a tour this late in the season was always going to be a challenge, but traditionally we are good tourists and a big part of that success has been our ability to get tight as a group and to make the most of our time away.
“We are looking at this tour as a great opportunity to pull together, tick a lot of boxes,” Fleck added. - Cape Times