The saying ‘Go big or go home’ is often applied in sport, and that could be appropriate when talking about the Stormers in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre in Parma (8.35pm start).
The Cape side lost their fifth consecutive URC tour match when they went down 37-24 to the Ospreys in Bridgend last weekend – having conceded defeat in all four tour matches last November, where they lost to Glasgow (20-9), Benetton (20-17), Munster (10-3) and Cardiff 31-24.
And just when Stormers fans may have thought that tomorrow’s clash against Zebre would bring some relief, considering the Italians have been the minnows of the tournament over the years, they went on to beat defending champions Munster 42-33 at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi last Saturday.
So, there is absolutely no guarantee that John Dobson’s team will emerge victorious tomorrow.
The head coach would have been pulling his hair out if he had to have any at this stage following last week’s defeat, as despite a pre-season period hampered by a few injuries and the postponement of the Bulls opener, he would have expected a better performance from the calibre of players in the match-23.
Dobson did say, though, that there were “still some really good signs for us”, so it’s not all doom and gloom.
But with Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu not in the mix at this stage, moving Damian Willemse to flyhalf would be a bold and necessary call.
Young pivot Jurie Matthee did a reasonable job against the Ospreys and scored 11 points with the boot, with Dobson saying that “he is still a developing flyhalf. I don’t think we exited as well as we could have, yet Jurie was solid. It was a tough outing overall, but he’s got potential and a nice temperament”.
Willemse, though, is the ultimate footballer, and while he has played mainly at fullback for the Springboks over the last few years, he is needed at No 10 by the Stormers tomorrow.
The 26-year-old is a double World Cup winner, and must have a greater influence on the team in the absence of the Boks. He should be the one calling the shots in what is a difficult situation for the Stormers without their Test players and other injured stalwarts.
Dobson did say that Warrick Gelant will be involved against Zebre after he was kept out of the Ospreys game to give him more time to recover from a calf injury.
Gelant should slot straight in at fullback, and he will bring variety to the Stormers backline on attack with his stepping and pace, but also with a dynamic kicking game that could win his team some vital territory too.
Dobson will name his team today, and he is likely to bring Bok rookie Ben-Jason Dixon back in at flank after he played off the bench last week, and his lineout prowess, ball-carrying ability and relentless defence will make a significant difference to the forwards as well.
Onto the next challenge 🇮🇹 #iamastormer #dhldelivers @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/CFdSNGw2Pu
The likes of Adré Smith and Hendré Stassen can also bring some added physicality in the second row and loose trio.
As it’s only the second game, it’s not exactly a crisis for the Capetonians as there is still a long way to go in the competition.
But to reach the top four on the log and claim a home quarter-final, beating teams like Zebre is almost non-negotiable – home or away.
Yes, the Italians beat Munster last week, but at least now the Stormers have been forewarned to be at their best.