Following the Stormers’ 32-28 Champions Cup triumph over Harlequins in Cape Town on Saturday, Planet Rugby picks out five takeaways from the action.
Age is just a number for Deon Fourie
36 years young. Fourie shows no signs of slowing when his career is supposed to be winding down as once again he displayed incredible work-rate, pace and determination for the Stormers’ cause. He is the heartbeat of the Cape Town outfit and a shining example to the young stars that hard work always reaps rewards.
Fourie crossed for two tries on the day, and his departure from the action on 65 minutes was met with loud cheers, which shows how highly he is rated with the Stormers faithful. They know what a vital cog Fourie is to this in-form side, and if he can stay fit, expect the flanker to push this side to possible silverware.
On a side note, the veteran’s performance will no doubt have caught the eye of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, who are keen admirers of what Fourie offers.
Danny Care and Marcus Smith contained
To come all the way to Cape Town and defeat the reigning United Rugby Championship winners, Harlequins knew they needed their half-back combination to impress. Unfortunately for their supporters watching at the venue and back home, both Care and Smith had quiet afternoons as they were starved of decent possession.
Smith especially looked out of sorts and somewhat lost in what many expected to be a match he would flourish, with the expansive game-plan of both sides set to suit the England fly-half and also Care. Alas, they couldn’t impact themselves onto the game as Quins’ attack looked well off its usual deadly high standards.
Wilco Louw impresses
Harlequins tighthead prop Wilco Louw often gets a look into the Springbok squad but usually after an injury in the group.
With the opportunity to impress at his old stomping ground, Louw reminded the Stormers’ faithful what they have been missing since he left the side for Harlequins.
Coming up against the Stormers’ captain, Steven Kitshoff, it was never going to be an easy game for the 28-year-old, but he was up to the task.
He didn’t give his old clubmate an inch in the set-pieces and was busy around the park, whether he was thundering into tackles and rucks or setting a stellar platform for the maul.
The Springbok coaches will have kept a close eye on this encounter, and with an uphill battle in the Premiership left for Quins, Louw will undoubtedly be essential to any success they have.
He has been a stellar signing for the Famous Quarters and will be out to finish on a high with the side before joining the Bulls.
Double on the cards for the Stormers?
Will John Dobson’s men dare to dream big? The Capetonians were written off last year for the United Rugby Championship but amazingly turned things around and, against all odds, secured a home final and, ultimately, the trophy.
The element of surprise is certainly not there this season, as the Stormers have well… stormed through the season and look set to go deep in both tournaments.
With a clash against Exeter Chiefs and Montpellier awaiting them in the quarter-finals, the URC holders will fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
But from there, could an unprecedented debut double be on the cards for the Stormers? It could well be.
While they did switch off somewhat when the game was well out of Quins’ reach, the men in blue and white have the squad to achieve a URC-Champions Cup double.
They continue to be incredible at home and have now won 19 straight games over the two competitions in Cape Town.
Whisper it, but they could do it.
Season now over for Harlequins
Bar a mathematical miracle; it looks as though Quins’ race is now run on both fronts, as their European campaign was ended one week after their Premiership hopes were all but crushed.
It’s a sad climax to the season for Tabai Matson’s men, as with all the quality in their side, they’ve underperformed this term and could not launch their now customary late dash through the knockout stages.
Some home truths will probably be read on the long flight back to London, and with pretty much just pride to play for in the final regular-season games, they will hope to finish in positive style.
READ MORE: Champions Cup: Stormers too good for Harlequins as they march on to last eight
The article Champions Cup: Five takeaways from Stormers v Harlequins as Deon Fourie rolls back the years appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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