Comment by Leighton Koopman
The Stormers’ lock trio of captain Salmaan Moerat, JD Schickerling and Ruben van Heerden will be challenged by their coaches to see who is fit to command the second row in the team ahead of the rest of the season.
It’s arguably the toughest selection headache for Director of Rugby John Dobson and his coaches about whom their two starters out of the three should be, and who will provide an impact off the bench.
Choosing the right combination won’t be easier tomorrow night, when the Stormers face Leinster in a pivotal United Rugby Championship clash in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium (7pm kick-off).
After resting some stars, including Schickerling – who played off the replacement bench – in the 31-22 Champions Cup defeat to Racing 92 last weekend, the Cape outfit will put out their strongest side to face the home team absent of key players who are in camp with Ireland ahead of the Six Nations.
While this could be a match to further forge the combination between the chosen lock pairing, they will have a big task in keeping Springbok lock RG Snyman, playing in the opposition ranks, quiet.
He is known for his lineout prowess, and after losing over five throws in the losing cause against Racing 92, the Stormers need their lineouts to fire on all engines.
That is where Schickerling comes in. He is an excellent commander of the lineout, and very proficient when it comes to stealing balls on the opponents’ throw. The Lions know all too well about that after their recent visit to Cape Town.
Moerat’s physicality is something the Stormers need upfront. His work-rate on and off the ball is outstanding, and he is another good lineout option.
But his leadership qualities are what keeps driving the team.
Whenever he or Deon Fourie are not on the field in the closing stages of games, the side sometimes looks rudderless, and it affects them when they are trying to clinch games or mount comebacks.
💥 Talk about impact. Herschel Jantjies was voted as our Fans' Man of the Match on Saturday night after making a big difference off the bench in Paris.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 20, 2025
🗳️ Join our WhatsApp channel to vote every week.https://t.co/Xt3sl6aOvN pic.twitter.com/NGGISWFX1b
Van Heerden is a hybrid, and blends his expertise at lineout time with his physicality.
Last season, before Schickerling joined the side and Moerat was injured, it was Van Heerden who stabilised the lineouts of the Capetonians, and one can understand the faith Dobson and the rest of the coaches have in his abilities.
He was so good in the last season that his name popped up in the Springbok conversation, although he is yet to get the nod from the national coaches.
So, who gets the nod to start and who should be reserved to the replacement bench to make an impact against Leinster? That is a tough one to answer.
Ahead of their Round 10 clash with @leinsterrugby, @THESTORMERS visited St Laurence O’Toole’s CBS, Senior Boys’ Primary School to conduct some rugby drills and skills sessions, led by the Leinster Rugby Community Team
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 23, 2025
🏉⚡️🏫 #CommunitiesUnited #URC pic.twitter.com/sGQubp6Fsa
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani posed that question to me on an online press conference this week, but my sidestepping of it was almost as quick as winger Seabelo Senatla sprinting from some would-be opponents.
It’s tough to select who goes to the bench at this stage, but Dobson – who will announce his team today – would call that a good headache, just like the one he will have on hand when Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is fit alongside Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant. | Independent Media Sport