The Stormers have never beaten the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championhip (URC). On Friday night at DHL Stadium, John Dobson’s men intend to smash that hoodoo.
Fresh off a 35-0 demolition of defending champions Leinster, the Capetonians know there’s no room for complacency.
“We saw how well Ospreys played in Pretoria and we know our record against them is a draw and two losses,” Dobson warned.
“The feeling is one of desperation to back up last week because you don’t want it to be a fluke.”
“If something goes wrong [against the Ospreys], we’d have to win every game on tour. So it’s very, very important from that point of view.”
With props Ali Vermaak and Sazi Sandi set for their first outings of the season, the Stormers want another statement win before their European road trip
“While we were happy with the result last week, we know that there can be no complacency heading into this match against an Ospreys side that have proven tough customers for us in the past,” Dobson stressed.
The Stormers know they must strike hard and early to exorcise their Ospreys ghost. Victory would not only break the hoodoo but also give them a flying start before Europe beckons.
The Vodacom Bulls will face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday without two of their backline sparks, Jan Serfontein and Cheswill Jooste, both injured in last week’s 53–40 shootout against the Ospreys.
Harold Vorster steps in at inside centre, with Sebastian de Klerk moving to the wing and Stravino Jacobs recalled. In the pack, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg retains the No 4 jersey after covering for Cobus Wiese’s HIA, while Sintu Manjezi joins the bench.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expects Leinster to arrive wounded but dangerous after their 35–0 defeat to the Stormers.
