After writing about the Stormers in this preview, there is only one more team left to feature. Can the Stormers though claim the title in 2011, after just missing out in 2010…?
This Season
It was all things South African in 2010, as the Stormers along with the eventual champions the Bulls dominated the Super 14 season, can that be the same case again in 2011? With the Super 15 season now having a new structure though, the Stormers will be in the same conference as the Bulls and a very good Sharks side, the South African conference will be very exciting this season. With Jean De Villiers and CJ Van Der Linde both coming in, the Stormers on paper still look a dangerous outfit, it’s highly likely that the Stormers will be in and around the top six at the end of the season, but the competition is hotter than ever now, as teams like the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Reds and the Waratahs are all in with a chance of claiming the silverware.
Coach Allister Coetzee has done a terrific job since he joined the Stormers, turning the side on its head and using his market skills to perfection, he has hit all the right buttons so far. The Stormers will be hoping to get off to another excellent start, as they play the two weaker sides in South Africa those being the Lions and the Cheetahs in their first two games. The side from Cape Town does not have a match in Round one, but when round two comes around there will be plenty of optimistic faces around the camp. The Bulls best watch their back, because the Stormers will certainly be coming into this season with a mean vengeance.
Key Players
On paper the Stormers do not have the strongest set of forwards around; however the experience of new signing CJ Van Der Linde at 3 will be a huge bonus. 6ft10 beast Andries Bekker will be wanting to steak his claim in the South Africa side, after he returns from a long injury lay-off, the Stormers though will be glad that they have the big man back as he will be a massive player in the defence and in the line out. The back row trio of Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen are all great players, Burger will captain the side this year and with his skills at the breakdown, the Stormers will be looking to him as a key player. Meanwhile Francois Louw is a player I rate very highly, at only 25 the young South African has bags of talent he has great offloading skills, and his superb tackling and his hard hits are so good to watch.
The Stormers have one of the best attacking outfits in Super Rugby, starting at centre the partnership with Juan De Jongh and Jaque Fourie, will be a major part to the Stormers season. Fourie is one of the best outside centres in Rugby right now; with 30 tries to his name internationally the 27 year old is ever so dangerous at going forward. While 22 year old Juan De Jongh has incredible power and incredible running skills, the partnership with Fourie could spark again in 2011. Bryan Habana and Jean De Villiers will most likely play on the wing this season, even though Habana has lost a little bit of touch at late, he will most likely destroy most of the oppositions defences with his quick feet and electric pace. While De Villiers is now back on home soil, he can possess a dangerous game from centre and wing. I can safely say though from 11-14 the Stormers are such an amazing force.
Overall Thoughts
It will be an intriguing battle between the Stormers and the Bulls of who tops the South African conference, both sides have world class players on show but in the forwards I think Alister Coetzee’s side lack a touch of class. Saying that the Stormers on the attack are a great side to watch, with Habana’s pace aswell as Gio Aplon’s direct running skills the Stormers are nothing more than a fast playing side. Not forgetting at centre where De Jongh and Fourie could be one of the best partnerships in this season’s Super Rugby. A place in the finals is highly likely, but I think the Stormers will miss out on the trophy again this year.
