With a tougher draw, the Stormers look set to drop even further down the log in 2017, writes JON CARDINELLI.

The Stormers have fallen at the first Super Rugby playoff hurdle in four of the past six seasons.

In 2011 and 2012, the Cape side stumbled at the semi-final stage. In 2015, they went down 39-19 to the Brumbies in a qualifying playoff staged at Newlands. In 2016, they crashed out of the competition after a 60-21 hammering at the hands of the Chiefs in a quarter-final in Cape Town. Until the Stormers win a knockout game, they cannot be spoken of as Super Rugby title contenders.

This season, they may not get the chance to clear that hurdle.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: Stormers steam past Eagles

The current format – which sees three of the South African franchises facing the Australian sides during the conference stage, and the other three battling the superior Kiwi teams – is in place for at least another year. The Lions, Sharks and Kings were forced to tackle the trendsetting New Zealanders in 2016. This season, that challenge will fall to the Bulls, Cheetahs and Stormers.

As witnessed in the 2016 quarter-final, the Stormers trail the New Zealanders by some distance. If they fail to improve their physicality, kicking game and attacking decisions, they will lose all five of these matches and relinquish the Africa 1 conference title. Their cause won’t be helped by the fact that several Springboks have left the franchise. The liquidation of the commercial arm of Western Province Rugby may also have an impact on team morale and performances.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: Stormers lash Lions

FORWARD TO WATCH
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Du Toit was among the best players in the 2016 Super Rugby competition for lineouts won and stolen, while his work rate around the park was nothing short of freakish. The Springbok No 5 was recognised as the 2016 SA Rugby Player of the Year.  The Stormers will hope the 24-year-old Du Toit and his Bok second-row teammate Eben Etzebeth continue to dominate the set pieces in 2017. Du Toit and Etzebeth will, however, need to be managed with the national team in mind over the course of the season. We could see the pair playing in the biggest matches of the Stormers’ campaign – the fixtures against the five New Zealand franchises. The Stormers will need to win the lineout battle in these clashes if they are to have any chance of taking the spoils and eventually earning a playoff berth.

BACK TO WATCH
Seabelo Senatla
Senatla was one of the stars of Western Province’s successful 2014 Currie Cup campaign. He didn’t feature at Super Rugby or Test level in 2015 and 2016 due to his commitment to the Springbok Sevens team. This year, Senatla represented the Blitzboks in the first two World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments before shifting his focus to the 15-man game and the Stormers. The wing scored 66 tries during the 2015-16 season, and was duly recognised as the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year. Apart from his speed and ability to finish, the 23-year-old has an appetite for defence and can be counted on to win key turnovers at the breakdown in the wider channels. With Senatla in tow, the Stormers backline has a more dangerous look about it. Whether the Cape side can gel as a unit and obtain maximum value out of its new Sevens recruit remains to be seen.

BIG SIGNING
Seabelo Senatla (Blitzboks)
The flyer should boost the Stormers’ attack in the coming season.

ALSO READ: Stormers sign Bulls wing

BIG LOSS
Schalk Burger (Saracens)
The Stormers will miss Burger’s experience and physicality. The Bok veteran is now playing for Saracens in England.

ALSO READ: Stormers dealt double injury blow

2017 FIXTURES
25 February: Bulls (h)
4 March: Jaguares (h)
11 March: Kings (a)
BYE
25 March: Sunwolves (a)
1 April: Cheetahs (h)
8 April: Chiefs (h)
15 April: Lions (h)
22 April: Crusaders (a)
28 April: Highlanders (a)
5 May: Hurricanes (a)
BYE
19 May: Blues (h)
27 May: Sharks (a)
BREAK FOR JUNE TESTS
1 July: Cheetahs (a)
8 July: Sunwolves (h)
15 July: Bulls (a)

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NUMBERS THAT MATTER
39 – Lineouts stolen (rank 1)
411 – Kicks from hand (rank 4)
1,792 – Tackles (rank 4)
461 – Points (rank 6)
6,644 – Metres run (rank 7)
52 – Tries (rank 7)
145 – Clean breaks (rank 10)
274 – Missed tackles (rank 14)
Source: Vodacom Rugby Stats App

2016 RECORD
Won: 10
Draw: 1
Lost: 5

PREVIOUS LOG FINISHES
SUPER 12
1996 11th
1997 DNP
1998 9th
1999 2nd (semi-finalists)
2000 5th
2001 7th
2002 7th
2003 9th
2004 3rd (semi-finalists)
2005 9th
SUPER 14
2006 11th
2007 10th
2008 5th
2009 10th
2010 2nd (finalists)
SUPER RUGBY
2011 2nd (semi-finalists)
2012 1st (semi-finalists)
2013 7th
2014 11th
2015 3rd (qualifiers)
2016 3rd (quarter-finalists)
Note: Played as Western Province in 1996 and did not qualify in 1997

FAST FACT
The Stormers have lost seven of their eight Super Rugby playoff matches

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Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images