Conceding five tries is just not good enough from the Stormers’ defence and they will have to tighten things up ahead of taking on a physical but skilful Benetton on Saturday evening in Cape Town.
While the inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) winners dazzled on the attack in last weekend’s duel with Connacht, bagging a 34-29 win, they know a better defensive display is needed to beat the Italian club side at the DHL Stadium (6.15pm start). They currently occupy 8th place on the overall URC log with 40 points and three matches remaining.
A win on Saturday will take them one step closer to securing a spot in the knockouts and it will see them leapfrog their opponents who are currently one point ahead of them in 5th place. This clash could be described as the Stormers’ watershed one for the season.
Fullback Warrick Gelant, who has been at the helm of the attack this season, says the team, not just he, has benefitted from the return to fitness of fellow playmakers Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at a crucial stage of their season.
“They lifted the morale of the team,” Gelant said about the duo linking up with the side since facing the Scarlets away from home.
“It was not just good for me on the attack, but for the entire side. The calmness they bring, the maturity and experience. They lead by example, and it is great for the guys to have them back. It also changes the picture of the attack for most of us.
Not the prettiest of W’s, but much needed 5 points 🌩️🌪️⛈️ pic.twitter.com/kOzwf9KU1k
— Warrick Gelant (@WarrickGelant) April 20, 2025
“We can now play other parts of our game and not be on the ball all the time. Someone else can take charge of the attack. The nice thing is, they see what I see on the attack and it’s much easier (playing alongside them). Even when the roles are reversed and I run with the ball as the first receiver. If I run off them, they know what I see and if they run off me, I know what they see.
“It is nice to have guys like that, they spoil you and play entertaining rugby. It is also what we want to give our fans.”
Warrick Gelant’s stats tell one story: relentless.
Big runs, big plays, and big impacts. 💪@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/7WELGvIsvn— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) April 11, 2025
According to Gelant, there is no question about their defence, but having a team score five tries against them is simply not good enough for them. He is hopeful they can rectify that when they face a dangerous Benetton.
The Stormers know a win will boost their standings in the top eight as they try to avoid finishing in the final knockout spot to face Leinster in the quarter-finals. Saturday will give them another chance to collect five points to go above Benetton. Two round-robin matches remain after this weekend, from which they are also looking to get a full complement of five points.
The king of the dummy – Warrick Gelant 👑
Gelant is currently in second place for the 2025 Playmaker Award and you can see why 😮💨@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/nKfYZMtlSw
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 9, 2025
“They (Benetton) are a physical side with plenty of international players. Jacob Umaga makes a big difference at flyhalf and Rhyno Smith, who is from here, and we know his flair and what he brings. They will ask questions in the wider channel, like Connacht.
“But their game is a bit more polished, and they bring a kicking game too. If I can say it like this, they will be a well-polished side coming here.”
