The Stormers have the power to win in France but only if they conquer a Bayonne side boasting continuity, home strength and Top 14 pedigree, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that South African sides must start winning away from home to be taken seriously in the Investec Champions Cup. He notes that the Stormers and Vodacom Bulls are South Africa’s strongest contenders and that this season presents the best chance yet for a local team to finally break past the quarter-finals.
Keohane highlights that Bayonne are close to full strength, describing them as a squad who “have beaten the best of France at home and beaten the big guns of the Investec Champions Cup.” He views their pack as Test quality, praises the Segonds–Jantjies halfback pairing and stresses how formidable the Jean-Dauger home crowd can be.
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He believes John Dobson has selected a Stormers 23 “talented and strong enough to win,” even if it is not at full strength. Keohane singles out Clinton Swart as the potential difference-maker, writing that “this guy can kick a rugby ball.”
Keohane also expects the Bulls to win at Loftus but warns that the Sharks “will get pumped” in Toulouse. He concludes that for South African teams to advance, the Bulls and Stormers must nail their home games and “pox at least one league win away from home.”
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