The Stormers could hand a franchise debut to a seasoned Springbok for their final URC tour match against Benettonin Treviso on Saturday in.MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
Sittingtop of the log on 19 points with four wins from four starts, the Stormers are one of only three unbeaten teams in this season’s competition.
What makes that run even more impressive is that half of those victories have come on the road, leaving John Dobson’s men in prime position to close out their tour with another big statement win.
Their chances of doing so have received a major lift following the arrival of Bok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach who has finally linked up with the squad in northern Italy after some rest following the Rugby Championship.
Confirming the news, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani says Reinach’s presence has already had a noticeable impact on the group.
Yes, he’s here. No team will ever complain when you add that kind of experience, so it’s quite helpful for us and nice to have him around,” said Hlungwani.
“He’s still learning a couple of things that we do differently, but a player of his calibre picks up information quickly. We’re very happy to have him here.”
The 35-year-old World Cup winner joined the Stormers after several seasons with Montpellier in France. His inclusion could prove crucial as the side chases its first-ever win in Treviso.
The Stormers’ last two visits to Benetton ended in narrow defeats – 20-17 in 2023 and 22-18 in 2021 – and Hlungwani made it clear that the team is determined to set the record straight.
“The test this week for us is Benetton,” he said. “That’s the team we really want to beat. We’ve never beaten them on their home ground, so after this game we’ll be sitting in a position where we can look at the tour and assess all the little details of how we can do things differently next time.”
