Following Toulon’s 24-14 victory over the Stormers in the Investec Champions Cup, here are our five takeaways.
The top line
Another frenetic Champions Cup match played with a huge amount of passion jampacked with hammering hits and brutal impacts.
In fact it was not just the action on the pitch that was passionate but also the crowd that packed into the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha for a rare treat. With the Stormers taking the fixture to the Eastern Cape, the Gqeberha faithful packed into the ground and in full voice.
Although the Stormers had the full backing of their ‘second home crowd’ it was not to be as John Dobson’s side lacked the accuracy and discipline to defeat the Champions Cup royalty that is Toulon.
The three-time champions may not have the star-studded lineup of yesteryear but they were certainly the more lethal team today as tries from Gabin Villiere, Facundo Isa and Baptiste Serin saw them clinch their first-ever victory outside of the European continent – even after a late red and yellow card.
Tries from Springboks Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba kept the hope of a Stormers’ comeback but the French giants managed to hold out for the victory.
Stormers’ unimpressive performances continue
It’s been a particularly challenging start to the season for the Stormers who have now won just two of their opening seven matches in all competitions. A change of venue did not result in a change of fortunes as John Dobson’s side produced another inaccurate and ill-disciplined performance as the team slipped even further from the Stormers outfit that won the inaugural United Rugby Championship and reached the finale the following season.
13 penalties conceded in the match is not an outrageously poor statistic but it was the manner in which those penalties were handed to the visitors. One of which resulted in Leolin Zas going to the sin bin for a daft shoulder to the head that could have quite easily resulted in a red. This was shortly after Toulon went down a man and the Stormers were on the attack looking for a try to launch a late comeback. It was frankly stupid and unnecessary and encapsulated the team’s performances of late.
There were times during today’s game that the Stormers could have really stamped their mark on the match and take it by the scruff of the neck but when those opportunities arose, it was wasted by a stuttering attack or silly penalties.
Joseph Dweba sends a timely reminder
While the Stormers on the whole were off-colour with the defence being one of the few standouts, one player did impress, Joseph Dweba.
Despite all the depth that Rassie Erasmus has at his disposal perhaps the one position that is not nailed down is the third-choice hooker behind Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi. Since the Rugby World Cup squad last year, Dweba has been outcasted out of the team, failing to earn a cap in 2024 but that might change next year particularly if he continues his current run of form.
His work-rate and set-piece accuracy has been the main shortcomings in his game as he never really lacked the physicality and scrummaging prowess but today he was on top form. He threw a clutch lineout and finished off the try-scoring opportunity himself just before the break.
Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Andre-Hugo Venter all earned opportunities in his 2024 but none really took their chance with both hands and nailed down consistent minutes at hooker with Marx and Mbonambi continuing to dominate. With Italy and Georgia heading to South African shores next July, there is space for more experimentation for Erasmus and Dweba could well be a beneficiary of that.
At 29 years old, he also fits into the right kind of age bracket for the next Rugby World Cup as he enters what is traditionally the prime of a front rower. The task for him now is for him to remain consistent not only with his general open play but with his set pieces as well. Again this is another area that has limited his involvement with the Springboks in the past.
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Toulon not quite a dynasty anymore but is the tide shifting?
Since winning the Investec Champions Cup for the third time in 2015, Toulon have never quite reached the same heights in the competition and made a real push to win the tournament. However, against the Stormers, there were signs that the tide could be shifting. Yes, they are not quite the force Toulouse are yet but they have some of the ingredients to get there.
Most notably at scrum-half where Baptiste Serin produced another blinder and steered his team to victory in another man of the performance.
Gabin Villiere was not far off from his skipper as he played a pivotal role on both sides of the ball. The livewire winger has forced his way back into the France squad and it’s easy to see why based on his performance today as he made key interventions on defence with one hit directly resulting in a try while he got one himself too. Dan Biggar was excellent too as were his fellow British recruits Lewis Ludlam and Dave Ribbans.
Then there was the shift from Los Pumas powerhouse Facundo Isa who caused all kinds of issues for the Stormers and got his name on the scoresheet from short range.
There are certainly areas that need attention like the scrum with Dany Priso struggling at loosehead against Neethling Fouche but there are elements of a very good team that just needs a bit more direction.
The red card
While a red card always sparks debate, few can argue the decision of Karl Dickson to give Yannick Youyoutte his marching orders for a sickening shot on Manie Libbok.
The English official handled the situation with real aplomb as he initially decided that it was a red card but was willing to listen to the opinion of his assistants who felt that the actions of Stormers winger Suleiman Hartzenberg could have influenced the events that followed. However, he stood by his initial call and duly issued the card.
He was equally sharp moments later when reviewing the actions of Zas before banishing the yellow card.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/stormers-v-toulon-five-takeaways-as-springboks-outcast-shines-in-defeat-as-the-tide-changes-for-french-giants
