John Dobson backs Stormers to deliver 'something special' in Champions Cup opener

While he had to touch wood before saying it, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson is expecting “something special” from his troops when they take on Bayonne in the Champions Cup on Friday evening.

It is their opening game of the European competition, but the Cape side is currently six games unbeaten at the start of the new season in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Though they have this zero-loss streak going, the Cape side knows they are entering a different competition and will have to adjust their mindset accordingly. They expect the Stade Jean Dauger (10pm kick-off) to be unforgiving, especially with Bayonne a force to be reckoned with at home.

“It is a helluva tough place to play. We are up against a team with an impressive home record,” Dobson said.

“We moved on incredibly fast from the Munster victory, and that is a credit to captain Salmaan (Moerat) and the boys. Yes, some of them celebrate the win, but when we got to France this past Sunday, we had a chat with the players and said the game in Limerick was history.

“The team had five days to prepare for Bayonne in a completely different competition. We even put up the Champions Cup log for them, which reads played zero, won zero points.”

According to Dobson, he spun the narrative at the start of the week that it would be a “nice-to-have” to get the victory over their French opponents. But, the team made it clear to him that they would have a go at the game properly.

However, a couple of changes to the side might impact their momentum. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee is injured, and Clinton Swart will get his first start for the Stormers. He will partner with another inexperienced player in scrumhalf Imad Khan.

Up front, loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu will make his debut for the Cape side, while replacement hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela is also in line for a first match. There is a shakeup in the loose trio with Bok eighthman Evan Roos playing off the bench. It allows Ruan Ackermann to make a start in the No 8 jersey, with flanker Ben-Jason Dixon also back from Springbok duty.

The Stormers opted for a six-two replacement bench that will hopefully make an impact when they are sent on.

“We will be a better group for this, and if we can do something, we will get a lot of confidence from it. Last year, we did not make it out of the pool. We really want to host another Round of 16 playoff.”

Captain Moerat said that although they had a short turnaround, they had recovered, made the mental switch to the new competition, and there is excitement amongst them to prove a point.

He added that they are aware of what to expect from Bayonne and the French atmosphere. Moerat will play in his 50th game for the Stormers.

“This will be a different challenge, but we know this is a massive opportunity for us, especially as a young group.”

Stormers XV

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Jonathan Roche.