Stormers player ratings vs Munster | 2023 URC Final
Stormers player ratings: Many thought the DHL Stormers just needed to turn up at the Cape Town Stadium to retain the title but a failure to hit their straps in attack cost the reigning champions against an underdog Munster side that refused to go away.
15. Damian Willemse – 6
Put under pressure from a well-executed Munster kicking game but burst into life in the second half. Had some good kicks out of hand and attempted to spark the backline, but it ultimately it wasn’t enough.
14. Angelo Davids – 5
Had limited opportunities to make an impact in attack due to Munster’s first-half dominance. Couldn’t showcase his full potential in this game, with the men in red marshalling him well. Showed good rugby IQ to successfully milk a few penalties off Italian referee Andrea Piardi but his failure to stop John Hodnett was potentially a championship losing error.
13. Ruhan Nel – 5
Munster found plenty of change in the Stormers’ centrefield and Nel wasn’t without sin in this department. Got turned over too when Stormers could scarcely afford it.
12. Dan du Plessis – 6
Showed a defensive fallibility at times and even if he made some important tackles on the backfoot. Tried to inject himself into the attack but struggled to find the necessary space and opportunities. Still, his strategic kicking and level head proved effective for the home side.
11. Leolin Zas – 5
Was pretty anonymous for much of the game, unable to make a significant impact in attack. Contributed defensively but lacked the chances to showcase his attacking prowess. Had a better second half in which he harried the Munster defense with his kick chase game.
10. Manie Libbok – 7
A brilliant start for the URC MVP, who raced away with an intercept but had a challenging first half after that as Munster began to dominate, getting caught out wide for Calvin Nash’s reception from a Jack Crowley crossfield kick. Showed glimpses of his attacking skills but struggled to break through the opposition’s defense in way we’ve been used to seeing from him for much of the season.
9. Herschel Jantjies – 6
Some questionable decision-making at times, but had good moments with quick snipes around the ruck and provided decent service to the backs.
1. Steven Kitshoff – 7
Acted as an additional back row, the ginger-haired skipper led the team well and put in a solid performance in the scrums. Made his presence felt in the loose with some strong carries and tackles and can now head to Ulster disappointed but with his head held high.
2. Joseph Dweba – 5.5
A mixed bag from mercurial hooker. Had a solidish game in the lineouts and showed some good physicality in the loose. However, could have been more effective in his ball-carrying and support play, botching a few opportunities.
3. Frans Malherbe – 6
The World Cup winner didn’t get into Jeremy Loughman in the way many might have expected, but was active in defense, making some crucial tackles and contributing to the breakdowns.
4. Ruben van Heerden – 5
Worked hard in the set-pieces and showed good athleticism in the lineouts. Could have been more involved in open play and made a bigger impact with his carries.
5. Marvin Orie – 6
A couple of loose moments in terms of discipline but the modestly sized lock was a supreme force at the lineout. Like van Heerden, didn’t offer much in terms of ball-carrying, however, and could have potentially been more dynamic around the field.
6. Deon Fourie – 7.5
Was an industrious presence in the loose, making himself busy with tackles and breakdown work. Showed good work rate throughout the game and provided valuable support to his teammates and deserved his try in the 49th minute.
7. Hacjivah Dayimani – 6
One of the standout performers for the Stormers this season but didn’t have it all his own way here, coughing up the ball on at least one occasion. Wasn’t the effective weapon in attack that we are used to seeing.
8. Evan Roos – 7
His battle against Munster No.8 Coombes was a brilliant sub-plot to proceedings in Cape Town. He earned a questionable yellow in the first half but made his presence felt on both sides of the ball, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts. Not clear why he was taken off.
Replacements – 5
Very little by way of impact offered by John Dobson’s bench. The Stormers needed a touch of magic in attack and it didn’t come from the sidelines.
Comments on RugbyPass
Absolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
5 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
4 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
5 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to comments