28 January 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

Stormers Super Rugby 2020 Betting Preview

The Stormers have everything going for them to lead the South African surge in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

After two bleak seasons that saw the Stormers finish 11th and 10th overall – an on-field reflection of a bitter boardroom battle, the Cape side are poised for a course correction, which could lead them all the way to the Promised Land. However, winds of change have swept through the corridors of the Newlands HQ. The recent resignation of Paul Zacks as CEO of Western Province Rugby was another black-eye, but at least the nearly year-long power struggle over the head coach role has been resolved.

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John Dobson, not former Blitzbok coach Paul Treu, who Western Province Rugby president Zelt Marais had reportedly fought for, has replaced Robbie Fleck. Freed from self-defeating uncertainty, the Stormers of 2020 have one and only one general to heed instructions from, a given for every other franchise but a boost for the Cape collective that allows them to start the season on equal footing with their counterparts.

The Springbok-laden forward pack is the Stormers’ greatest strength, the foundation on which their planned uprising will be based. The front-row of Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe, all of whom played key roles in the Boks’ World Cup triumph in Japan last year, are in the prime of their careers and champing at the bit to steamroll the opposition.

Mbonambi, in particular, came of age in 2019 and ended the year as arguably the best hooker in the world. Malherbe removed doubt over his aptitude for Test rugby once and for all with an excellent World Cup while Kitshoff will be keen to make it crystal clear why he’s seen as Tendai Mtawarira’s Springbok successor following the legendary Beast’s retirement from international rugby after the World Cup final. The Stormers have impressive depth upfront as well in Springbok duo Scarra Ntubeni and Wilco Louw, along with the experienced Alistair Vermaak.

The loss of Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth to Toulon is a big one, but it opens the door for former Junior Springbok skipper Salmaan Moerat to truly take the next step in his promising career. Another ex-Baby Bok captain Ernst van Rhyn could also have a breakout year.

JD Schickerling is a Springbok in waiting (he was a member of the national end-of-year squad in 2018) and is set to return from the latest in a long list of serious injuries, including breaking his neck in 2014. He’s a force of nature at four and five, while Chris van Zyl brings experience to the second-row mix.

Trail-blazing World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi and 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit headline the team and the back-row stocks, which include 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year Juarno Augustus, Cobus Wiese and Johan du Toit. The Springbok superstars will be the heart and soul of the Stormers and will be hell-bent on making more history by leading their franchise to a maiden Super Rugby title.

What will excite try-hungry Stormers supporters the most is the potential potent halfback pairing of Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse. In the two rising Springbok stars, the Stormers have prodigious playmakers – flair-filled, natural attacking players who can most aptly be described as the game-changers the Capetonians have desperately needed after years of stale, predictable and ineffective offence.

The revelation of South African rugby in 2019, Jantjies proved in his breakout year that he’s not just an x-factor player but can execute a tactical gameplan when required. The same is true for Willemse, who after years of being stuck at fullback, will get the opportunity to steer the Stormers in the No.10 jersey. He’ll be THE key player for the Cape class of 2020.

The departure of Springbok centre Damian de Allende left a massive void in midfield, but in a unique coup – thanks to a “third party” sponsor – the Stormers have snapped up Welsh and British and Irish Lions star, Jamie Roberts. Junior Springbok Rikus Pretorius is big and strong in his own right and will likely rotate with Roberts as he makes the step-up to the senior ranks. Rounding off a strong squad across the board are danger men like Sergeal Petersen, Seabelo Senatla and Dillyn Leyds.

The fact that the Stormers somehow managed to avoid a mass exodus, which had reportedly been on the cards this time last year, and retained a core group of World Cup-winning Springboks make them the pre-tournament favourites to spearhead the South African assault.

There are points to be collected throughout their campaign. Four of their five fixtures against overseas opposition in the first half of the season are at home, including the tough opening-round clash with the Hurricanes. In the second frame, matches against the Waratahs and Sunwolves (aside from derbies) will be opportunities to cash in as they face three daunting tour matches against the Chiefs, the defending-champion Crusaders and the Brumbies.

With a star-studded squad, the Capetonians should be among the six strongest title contenders and are certainly South Africa’s best bet ()

The battle for the all-important South African Conference spoils look set to be a two-horse race between the Stormers and the Jaguares this year. The Argentinians are being tipped to take the trophy for the second year in a role and last year’s runners-up have the look of possible finalists again.

However, we believe the Stormers will pip them in a photo finish (). The momentum and psychological boost of the Springboks’ World Cup triumph will still burn in the hearts and minds of the many Stormers stars who were part of that golden Japanese journey and should give them a “head start.”

It’s clear that Kolisi and company are more determined than ever and we feel they’ll be the hungrier of the two top contenders and will come away with the conference cup.

A perfect storm (no pun intended) of physical prowess, mental strength, momentum and depth puts the Stormers in line for a serious shot at their maiden Super Rugby title. Kolisi knows they have the squad to achieve something special – a group motivated to make their final season at Newlands a golden one.

“I have been playing with some of these guys my whole career and we are all looking forward to reaching new heights in a Stormers jersey,” Kolisi said. “We have a strong group of senior players and talented youngsters coming through all the time, which is what we need to reach our goal of rewarding the Faithful for their incredible support.”

We see the Stormers securing a home semi-final where we (sadly) think their season will come to an end after a spirited effort.

Juarno Augustus, Kwenzo Blose, Jaco Coetzee, Paul de Wet, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Schalk Erasmus, Neethling Fouche, Michal Hazner, Lyle Hendricks, Herschel Jantjies, Dan Jooste, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, David Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Leon Lyons, Godlen Masimla, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, David Meihuizen, Salmaan Moerat, Matt More, Ruhan Nel, Scarra Ntubeni, Sergeal Petersen, Rikus Pretorius, Jamie Roberts, Sazi Sandi, JD Schickerling, Seabelo Senatla, Chad Solomon, Edwill van der Merwe, Ernst van Rhyn, Abner van Reenen, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.

February 1: Hurricanes (h)
February 8: Bulls (h)
February 15: Lions (a)
February 22: Jaguares (h)
February 29: Blues (h)
March 14: Sharks (a)
March 21: Jaguares (a)
March 28: Melbourne Rebels (h)
April 4: Waratahs (h)
April 18: Sharks (h)
April 25: Chiefs (a)
May 2: Crusaders (a)
May 9: Brumbies (a)
May 16: Sunwolves (a)
May 23: Lions (h)
May 30: Bulls (a)

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