Coach John Dobson says the Stormers are looking to go full out in the final game of their inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship tour when they take on the Dragons in Newport on Friday night.
The Stormers fought hard to secure a 20-20 draw with Edinburgh in the third round and will be looking for their first win of the campaign as they travel to Wales to play at Rodney Parade.
As an added boost, Dobson confirmed that he expects halfback pair Manie Libbok and Stefan Ungerer to return for Friday’s match after they missed out this past Saturday through injury, while centre Ruhan Nel is also expected back from precautionary rest.
“We got through absolutely unscathed and Manie Libbok and Stefan Ungerer will definitely be back next week. Ruhan Nel could have played, he rolled his ankle earlier in the week, so he will also be back,” Dobson said.
“We want to empty our tank this week.”
The Stormers have had an attacking edge to their play in the initial rounds of the URC, with Warrick Gelant and Paul de Wet finishing wonderfully worked tries in the first half against Edinburgh.
Dobson said that they will be looking to challenge the Welsh team with the attacking brand that had them dominating for periods of every game on tour.
“We are taking some pride in how we are trying to play an attacking, dynamic game here and hopefully it will be our rapier against their cutlass.
“We will hopefully be as close to full strength as we can and playing the game that we are capable of, like in the first half against Munster,” he said.
The Stormers coach was also impressed by his team’s defence as they held firm for 75 minutes after conceding two early tries in Edinburgh.
“I think defensively we were superb, they didn’t get yards. Other than the two linebreaks for the two tries, we held them defensively.
“The fact that you saw Edinburgh at home kicking the ball out to take the draw was a good reflection on our defence.
“I am pleased with the way we are attacking, we are playing with more of the Stormers style and have done on this tour and the back end of the Currie Cup. I am quite encouraged, if we get a dry day and full strength I think we could play some really nice rugby.”
A key figure this week will be veteran prop Brok Harris, who was impressive against Munster and Edinburgh over the past two weeks and also made more than 125 appearances for the Dragons between 2014 and 2021.
“Brok last week, having not played for four months was exceptional against Munster and he was even better against Edinburgh. In the scrum, cleaning rucks, his carrying.
“Brok knows them inside out and knows their DNA, so that will be useful,” said Dobson.
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