Afrigather Any ideas that the Stormers can financial institution on a snug URC win over Zebre would have been banished after seeing the Italian staff report a shocking 42-33 victory over Munster.
In the meantime, John Dobson’s staff suffered a chastening 37-24 Spherical 2 defeat to the Ospreys on the Brewery Subject, the place they led 13-3 at one level.
It’s added heightened significance to Saturday’s encounter, with the conflict kicking off at 20:35 (SA time).
Observe the Stormers-Zebre URC reside scoring beneath:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Paul de Moist, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Warrick Gelant, 23 Angelo Davids.
Date: Saturday, October 5
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 20.35 (20.35 SAST; 18.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby (Eire)
Assistant referees: Fillipo Russo (Italy), Franco Rosella (Italy)
TMO: Mark Patton (Eire)
Zebre will probably be searching their second residence win a row to stay within the prime eight on the standings following their morale-boosting 42-33 victory towards Munster final week after taking place by 22-17 towards Cardiff away of their opening recreation of the season.
Nevertheless, the Capetonians – who suffered a 37-24 defeat towards Ospreys final week – are unbeaten towards the Italians within the competitors after three outings, which included a 37-20 victory at Stadio Lanfranchi, and that is anticipated to spice up their confidence going into the match.
Including to this, the Stormers will probably be aware of the truth that Zebre haven’t received successive matches within the match since January 2021 and haven’t received back-to-back residence video games within the match since 2018, whereas their solely win towards a South African opponent was in November 2023, after they beat Sharks 12-10.
Looking forward to this subsequent problem, Dobson stated: “It is a hell of a great distance from a gimme and that’s why I’m anxious.
“They’re younger, Italian and fearless and a troublesome staff to interrupt down. It was a very good Munster aspect they beat.
“You don’t need to play Zebre early on within the season, particularly away from residence, as a result of they’ve nonetheless bought hope and perception.
“Proper now, they’re on a experience and we’re on a precipice. We didn’t get any factors out of final Saturday, so if we lose to Zebre we are going to really feel like we’ve got a dagger to our throats.
“That is completely mission essential for us, in any other case we actually are going to be beneath a variety of strain. We’d like this one desperately.”
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