One of five DHL Stormers players with Champions Cup experience, Deon Fourie says the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title-holders are looking to make a statement against Clermont on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Fourie spent seven years in France with Lyon and Grenoble between 2014 and 2021, during which he picked up some valuable experience in the Champions Cup.
The 36-year-old is joined by Joseph Dweba, Brok Harris, Alapati Leuia and the returning Steven Kitshoff as players to have previously had a taste of the top level of club rugby.
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“It’s nice to be back,” the veteran forward told media shortly after arriving at the team’s base in France. “We landed in Lyon where I spent five years of my career when I was over here. It was good to see all the places again.
“It will be nice for the guys, especially the experience at the stadium. It’s almost like Newlands. It feels like the crowd and stadium are on top of you. The crowd is always joyful and supportive.
“Coming from Cape Town where it was hot and landing here where it feels like zero degrees was a bit of a shock, but we will get used to it.”
Against Clermont, the Stormers face a side that finished as runners up three times, in 2013, 2015 and 2017, while also finishing as French champions in 2017.
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A mixed start to the season – five wins from 12 games – sees Clermont currently in 10th place on the Top 14 log, but they count French stars Damian Penaud and Alivereti Raka among their top players.
“Clermont is a team that has always been up there in the playoffs in the Top 14 and Champions Cup. It will be a good challenge,” said Fourie.
“A big team like Clermont, they are also packed with international stars and quality players. Up front will be the biggest task. We saw in the game between the French and the Springboks on the end-of-year tour, they are quite dominant and have evolved a bit in that department as well.
“They also have quality strike players like [France wing] Damian Penaud. So this is going to be an all-out clash.”
Fourie expects the Stormers to be put under a heavy pressure test on Saturday, but believes as URC champions, they should be out to make their mark on the Champions Cup.
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“From my past experience, the guys tend to raise their level in this competition. This is such a prestigious competition and this is usually when they put in all their big stars. It’s a big thing to win the Champions Cup.
“I think they will come out all guns blazing so it will be a good test for us as well, playing in the Cup as a squad for the first time.
“It will be nearly Test match intensity,” added Fourie. “We’ve played an attacking style because our forwards have done well through the URC. I don’t think the cold will play that big of a role. It might be a factor in the first two minutes, but then you get warm when you get into the game.
“Hopefully, we can impact this competition in the same way we did in the URC last year and put our stamp down in Europe.”
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
