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Dayimani’s Diamond shines bright in Springbok shop window

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Dayimani’s Diamond shines bright in Springbok shop window
By Adnaan Mohamed

Hacjivah Dayimani is making a compelling case for greater recognition after back-to-back Man of the Match performances for the Stormers.

The loose forward scored twice in the 39-22 URC derby victory over the Sharks, showcasing his growing physicality, leadership and versatility.

With 43,000 supporters roaring beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, the 28-year-old diamond in the Stormers’ pack glittered brighter than the opposition’s star-studded Springboks as the hosts revived their famous Men in Black swagger.

The Sharks arrived unbeaten and loaded with heavyweight international firepower. They left nursing a bruising defeat, their coastal rivals having turned the scrum into a Cape Town battering ram.

While the return of several Springboks dominated the pre-match chatter, it was the Stormers’ collective muscle that stole the show. Wilco Louw, André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu gave Thomas du Toit, Eduan Swart and Ox Nche a torrid afternoon in the front row.

Behind that demolition crew, Dayimani, Siya Kolisi and Paul de Villiers hunted at the breakdown like hungry predators.

Dayimani supplied the glitter.

He powered over from a maul in the 36th minute before crossing again after the interval, helping the Stormers build a commanding advantage and ultimately secure a bonus-point victory. Seabelo Senatla, Venter, Leolin Zas and JJ Kotzé also crossed the whitewash as the hosts avenged last season’s back-to-back derby defeats.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO | Hacjivah Dayimani says it would be nice being part of the Bomb Squad

For Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, Dayimani’s growing influence has become impossible to overlook.

“We have a players’ Man of the Match, which always differs from what SuperSport comes up with. In the first two games, Hacjivah was a convincing winner,” Dobson said.

The coach believes the forward has added precious steel to his trademark sparkle.

“What’s changed about Hacjivah is his stopping power; I don’t know whether it’s because he’s decided what the gym is or because he’s got more determined.”

Dobson also praised Dayimani’s leadership, revealing that he has taken charge during training sessions involving the Currie Cup players.

That is music to the ears of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who values players capable of covering multiple positions.

Dayimani has started three consecutive matches at No 8, can operate across the back row and has even played on the wing, including against the All Blacks. His experience with French club Racing 92 also adds versatility to his rugby résumé.

“He’s metamorphosised,” Dobson said.

“At 28 years old and when you talk about hybrids, a guy who can run 10.80 and has stopping power has got to be in anybody’s [selection] frame eventually.”

There is, however, a catch in this tale of glittering ambition.

Dobson insists Dayimani must maintain his current standards over an entire season, acknowledging that previous flashes of brilliance have not always developed into sustained excellence.

“He’s had flashes of brilliance. He needs to build a proper innings. He’s just at the start of it. If he carries on like this, I’ve got no doubt about it.”

Those words should ring in Dayimani’s ears louder than Saturday’s thunderous applause.

The Stormers star has the speed, the flair and, increasingly, the muscle to make a compelling case. His challenge is to turn dazzling cameos into a season-long exhibition of consistency.

The Springbok jersey remains the prize, and competition for places is fierce. Yet another performance of this calibre will make it harder for the selectors to ignore the diamond shining in black.

Dayimani has struck gold in the opening rounds. Now he must keep mining his rich vein of form.

The sparkle is undeniable. The real test is whether this diamond can shine long enough to earn its green-and-gold setting.

STORMERS – Tries: Seabelo Senatla, Hacjivah Dayimani (2), André-Hugo Venter, Leolin Zas, JJ Kotzé. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
SHARKS – Tries: Manu Tshituka, Matt Romao, Phepsi Buthelezi. Conversions: Gianni Lombard (2). Penalty: Lombard.

Stormers stuck in reverse as discipline hands Sharks another derby scalp

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Stormers stuck in reverse as discipline hands Sharks another derby scalp

John Dobson didn’t duck the tackle or hide behind the referee’s whistle after the Stormers’ second straight derby defeat to the Sharks. Instead, the Stormers coach fronted up and admitted that while the game plan was drawn up neatly, the behaviours at the collision points never shifted.

The Stormers were whistled for 16 penalties and shown two yellow cards in their 38–24 United Rugby Championship (URC) loss in Durban on Saturday, and for Dobson, the most worrying part wasn’t the scoreboard, it was the lack of growth between the two derby encounters.

“We talked about it this week to start the halves well. We probably got both right, but the rest wasn’t a behaviour change from last week. I think the two games were very similar,” said Dobson.

While the Stormers repeatedly knocked on at key moments, the Sharks played with the composure of a side winning the arm-wrestle inch by inch, completing a rare back-to-back Cape Town double.

“Credit to the Sharks, they beat us properly over the past two weeks. Our discipline was poor and our set-piece definitely let us down. I thought their aerial game was really good and they played with a really clear plan that worked for them.”

Instead of tightening their grip at the breakdown, the Stormers loosened it. Seventeen penalties conceded, two more than the previous week, told the story of a side stuck in the same defensive patterns, conceding ground without resistance.

“The most destroying part of last week is that the same things that went wrong last week, went wrong this week. Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls which led to some of the discipline stuff. So for the stuff to fix, there needs to be a change in behaviour. It was really poor from us and I feel bad for our supporters.”

What gnawed at Dobson was the sense of déjà vu, the same soft underbelly exposed, the same pressure points targeted.

“The most frustrating thing about tonight [Saturday] is that everything that went wrong last week went wrong this week. There has to be a behaviour change; it is really poor from us and bad for our supporters.”

Once again, the Stormers’ defensive work inside their own five-metre zone cracked under pressure, turning promising stands into penalty concessions and scoreboard damage.

“Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls, which led to some of the discipline stuff. So, to fix the stuff, there needs to be a change in behaviour. It was really poor from us, and I feel bad for our supporters.”

Dobson was quick to salute Sharks coach JP Pietersen, whose side dominated the key exchanges and imposed themselves when it mattered most.

“I give them enormous credit. They’ve come, and they beat us twice. He is obviously doing something right within the organisation. They played with real purpose, a clear plan, so yes, he has done well.”

The aerial contest and the penalty count proved decisive battlegrounds. While the Sharks ruled the skies, the Stormers spent long stretches retreating under pressure and playing a man short.

“We didn’t win the contestable game as much as we would have liked to. They were really good in the air. If you are going to be on 11 penalties in 20 minutes, that’s going to include a card.

“If you are going to play 40 minutes in a South African derby with seven forwards, with Damian Willemse scrumming on the flank a lot of the time, it’s not good enough.”

Stormers captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu echoed his coach’s assessment, admitting discipline knocked the stuffing out of a side that briefly had the upper hand.

“The lack of discipline cost us. When we played our game, we were on top of them. Going into halftime, we were up 24-14, and we just let it slip.

“Within ten minutes, we went from an upbeat team scoring tries. That’s just the reality. We were being reckless, careless and irresponsible. Our discipline is costing us.”

For the Stormers, the message is blunt: unless the habits at the breakdown, maul and aerial contest change, they’ll keep losing the same battles, and bleeding the same points.