Latest news with #SuleimanHartzenberg
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Hartzenberg the centre of attention as Stormers' tough URC play-off road starts in Glasgow
Rising star Suleiman Hartzenberg has been selected at outside centre to face Glasgow in the URC quarterfinals. The old rugby cliché of 'one game at a time' is never truer than in play-off rugby, because there is no value in looking too far ahead. In round-robin play there is 'next week'. In a knockout… well… there isn't. For the Stormers, who face defending United Rugby Championship (URC) champions Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in Glasgow on Friday, 30 May 2025, there really is no sense in worrying about what might come in the semifinals should they progress. That's for journalists and fans to speculate about. And a quick look at the table and the other quarterfinal in the Stormers' half of the draw, sees top seeds Leinster hosting eighth seeds Scarlets. So, speculating away, unless the Welsh club produce the biggest upset in the history of the URC, Leinster should make it to the semis. That's the prize for the winner in Glasgow. It's obvious the road to glory in 2025 is stacked against the Stormers, which was confirmed when they failed to make the top four on the standings at the end of league play. To have even a shot at the title, they are going to have to do it the hard way, so coach John Dobson has understandably focused only on the immediate task – finding a way to beat Glasgow in their backyard. 'Horses for courses' His team must do it without the influential utility back Damian Willemse, who is suspended, and without Bok tighthead Frans Malherbe, whose prolonged absence through injury raises the questions about his future. Dobson has gone with a 6-2 split between forwards and backs with scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and flyhalf Manie Libbok covering the backline on the bench. It's clear Dobson thinks the path to victory is around the pack, while the likes of centre Suleiman Hartzenberg and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are versatile enough to cover every position in the backline. Dobson admitted that Hartzenberg, who plays wing as well, could probably have benefited with more game time at outside centre earlier in the campaign. The 21-year-old, who already has 50 Stormers caps, appears unflappable though, as he prepares to go up against newly selected British & Irish Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu. 'We probably should've given him more games at outside centre,' Dobson said. 'It is a move we want to make in the long term. We looked at the opposition, how we want to defend and the surface [Scotstoun has an artificial pitch]. 'We obviously had the option of the more experienced one [centre] in Wandi [Simelane], who is unlucky to miss out. 'Without saying too much – we've got a plan in terms of the way Suleiman played two weeks ago on the wing, where he was excellent. 'It's not a stepping surface. It's more high-speed where you'll need someone who can work back. 'We made some tweaks to our defence where we feel Suleiman can be useful. Some of the plans are more around the aerial game. 'It's a horses-for-courses selection. You can't account for injuries and suspensions, but I feel this is the best team we can put out.' As for the bench decision, Dobson made it clear it was well thought through. 'It's [the 6-2 split] worked more often than not,' Dobson said. 'It will be a tight game. We can put on two Springboks in the backs with Manie [Libbok] that can come on at fullback with Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] being able to pretty much cover the whole backline. 'Dan du Plessis can move to No 13 and Suleiman can move out to wing. 'If you end that game with Louw Nel covering tiring loose forwards and with Connor Evans and JD Schickerling at lock, who can also play flank alongside Joseph Dweba, and [props] Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi in the front row can be a massive impact in the pack. 'That's our plan. The 4G pitch will require a lot of running; the pack is likely to tire. If we didn't have that multi-skilled backline cover then a five-three split would be more risky.' Growth The Stormers have only ever beaten Glasgow once in five outings in URC history, but Dobson remained optimistic that they wouldn't be burdened by history. The Stormers boss is also buoyed by the growth in experience of the squad, despite missing key players such as Willemse and Malherbe. 'Where I do feel we are stronger is the guys that we've brought through,' Dobson said. 'Take [flank] Marcel Theunissen, for example; I know he's played 50-odd games for us but he's developed into a really good player. 'The Louw Nels, the Vernons [Matongo], the Sazis [Sandi], that element was probably missing or they were considerably less experienced this time last year. 'I can list Kitsie [Steven Kitshoff], Frans Malherbe, Brok Harris, Deon Fourie, BJ Dixon and Damian Willemse who aren't here, but it just feels like this group are considerably more advanced in terms of depth and our belief than we were this time last year. 'It feels a lot different to us.' The Stormers have some of the best attacking stats in the competition (see graph) but their defence is not watertight. Given the conditions it's obvious that Hartzenberg's selection is a call to shore up defence, while still providing an attacking threat. Glasgow coach Franco Smith noted the Stormers' attacking threats. 'The Stormers will pose one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the competition, and we know that we must be at our best to meet the challenge they will bring,' Smith said. 'They have the ability to hurt any team with the ball in hand, mixing a physical forward pack with a backline that can spark something from anywhere.' DM URC quarterfinals: Friday, 30 May 8.35pm: Glasgow Warriors vs Stormers, Glasgow – Saturday, 31 May 1.30pm: Bulls vs Edinburgh, Pretoria. 4pm: Leinster vs Scarlets, Dublin. 6.30pm: Sharks vs Munster, Durban
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Dobson: Stormers primed for ‘something special' against champions Glasgow Warriors in URC quarter-final
Suleiman Hartzenberg will fill an important slot at outside centre for the Stormers against Glasgow. Photo: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media Image: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media Tonight, the Stormers will face off against the Glasgow Warriors in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship quarter-final at the Scotstoun Stadium where the stakes couldn't be higher. For the Stormers, this is not just any knockout match – it represents an opportunity to finally exorcise the demons of their record in Glasgow. The Cape side have never managed to win at the venue that has long been a fortress for the home side. With both teams in solid form heading into the business end of the season, this quarter-final (8.35pm start) offers the promise of glory and the threat of early elimination. As the visitors look to secure a semi-final spot, they'll need to overcome not only Glasgow's formidable home advantage, but also the mental hurdle of past disappointments at the stadium. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Despite their impressive run in the competition, the Stormers' struggles are well documented, and they are currently on a four-match losing streak against the defending URC champions. The Warriors' physical style of play up front and their attacking expertise in the backline have often proved too much for visiting sides, and John Dobson's men have been no exception. Yet, they come into this match with renewed confidence after a strong regular-season finish, bolstered by a dynamic squad that includes some of the competition's top performers. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, nominated earlier this week for the SA URC Player of the Season award, is back at flyhalf at the expense of Manie Libbok. The latter will make an impact off the bench. Dobson also made a couple of other changes, bringing Suleiman Hartzenberg in at outside centre to partner Dan du Plessis in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse. 'That (flyhalf) and (the decision at) 13 took a lot of talking through ahead of the selection,' the Stormers director of rugby admitted in his pre-match press conference yesterday. 'Understanding the conditions, the field, the form we've been and what we need, there were some strong arguments for Manie playing at 10 and Sacha at 12. 'But we felt it was less disruptive for the team. 'We've found a certain rhythm with Sacha at 10 over the last while, and that is a big reason why we went with that. 'To bring two Springboks off the bench in Manie and Herschel (Jantjies) and allow Sacha to go where he is needed, that is pretty powerful for us.' ⚔️ The Battle at 10 ⚡️ We're looking forward to seeing Tom Jordan and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu go head to head in this weekend's Quarter-Final 🔥 #BKTURC #URC | #HitsDifferent — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 29, 2025 While Glasgow will miss the presence of Huw Jones in the midfield, Dobson said they've made special plans to stop the bustling runs of his centre mate Sione Tuipulotu. The Scottish international played a rampaging role in the Warriors' win over the Cape side at the start of the season in Stellenbosch. But he also warned that they must be aware of the Glasgow forwards' prowess, especially at scrum time and at the breakdown. They are known to find clever ways to disrupt their opposition's possession, and the Stormers must be aware of those tricks. 'Defence has probably been our key focus. Their style of rugby, the depth they have and their understanding of the pitch and the 4G factor, they got around us on the attack in the past,' Dobson said. 'We drowned ourselves by using our line-speed to get to them, but we actually didn't get to them. 'They have a ball-in-hand approach and play a lot of phases before kicking the ball. 'It is not Leinster-like robotic... It's good rugby, and with their X-factor players, we have plenty of respect for them. It is a blow for us that Damian Willemse is not there. We've counted your votes and this is the most common road to the title 🏆 Disagree? Play the #URCBracket and share your predictions👇 🔗 — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 28, 2025 'It will be a test for us, but I feel something special brewing in our team. 'The one thing I can guarantee is that this team will fight on Friday night, and they will be at the sharp end of it. 'They have a great record at home, but we have fight in us, and we've shown it this season.' To advance to the semis, the Stormers will need to play a flawless game, focusing on discipline, getting into the right areas of the field, set-piece dominance, and using the opportunities they create – all while attempting to break the psychological barrier that has haunted them in Glasgow.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Stormers secure hard-fought victory over Cardiff in final URC round-robin clash
Flyer Suleiman Hartzenberg celebrates scoring a try in his 50th cap for the Stormers with fellow winger Leolin Zas. Both speedsters scored twice in the home victory over Cardiff in the final round-robin URC match. Image: BackpagePix A 72nd-minute try by replacement lock Connor Evans saved the Stormers from blushes against Cardiff in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) round-robin clash in Cape Town on Friday evening. The Cape side scored five tries for a bonus point 34-24 victory in the DHL Stadium, but it wasn't the prettiest display ahead of the quarter-finals. Despite that, the Stormers will finish the league phase in fifth, but they will have to wait until Saturday evening to find out if they are traveling to Glasgow or Durban for their knockout. While they played some enterprising Stormers rugby in patches in front of the over 19 000 supporters, the plethora of changes that director of rugby John Dobson made to the side affected their overall flow. That and the red card they copped with just over 20 minutes left in the game. After the visitors scored a well-worked try in the righthand corner, fullback Damian Willemse was sent off for a head-high tackle after contact with his shoulder. Cardiff also received a red card to their prop, Danny Southworth, for a tackle to the head and played for most of the game with a man down. They did brilliantly in taking the fight to the home team and never backed down, even without a flanker on the field. He had to leave the field for a new prop to come scrum. The Cardiff attack did well to score points every time it looked like the Stormers were going to pull away with the score. Manie Libbok, who returned from injury, had a satisfying return to the field. After he was substituted in the second half, he received a standing ovation from the supporters. He had a hand in a couple of the tries and kicked a trademark crossfield dink, which led to the second score of winger Suleiman Hartzenberg. The speedster capped off his 50th appearance for the Stormers with a Player of the Match display. Libbok's excellent distribution also led to various attacking moves for the home side. Before his red card, Willemse looked steady at the back, and a neat little grubber by the Stormers' centurion led to the second try of the other flyer, Leolin Zas. as had a few ball spills in the second half – one right in front of the try line – that would've closed the game earlier and handed him a hat trick of tries Dobson warned earlier in the week that Cardiff would not go softly into the cold Cape Town night, and they showed that. If they did not receive the red card, things could've turned out tighter. After the red cards for the head contact, which spoiled the contest in many eyes, there will likely be increasing calls for a 20-minute card to be adopted into the URC. Points scorers Stormers 34 (19): Tries: Leolin Zas (2), Suleiman Hartzenberg (2), Connor Evans. Conversions: Damian Willemse (2), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Cardiff 24 (12): Tries: Danny Southworth, Gabe Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard, Daffyd Hughes. Conversions: Callum Sheedy (2).
News24
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Stormers' wingers dazzle in hard-fought URC win over Cardiff
The Stormers secured their place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs on Friday as they beat Cardiff 34-24 at Cape Town Stadium. Leolin Zas opened the scoring for the home side after he collected an inside pass after coming in off his wing to streak away from the Cardiff defence and cross the whitewash. Damian Willemse, however, couldn't convert, as the Stormers led 5-0 after 9 minutes. Cardiff hit back minutes later as their early scrum dominance led to a converted try for prop Danny Southworth to give the visitors a 7-5 lead. In the 23rd minute, the Stormers retook the lead after some individual brilliance from winger Suleiman Hartzenberg. Playing in his 50th game for the coastal franchise, Hartzenberg received the ball and cut inside twice as he left Cardiff defenders in his wake on the way to the tryline. Willemse popped over an easy conversion for a 12-7 lead. Cardiff were dealt a massive blow in the 28th minute when Southworth received his marching orders for a high hit on Neethling Fouche. Zas added another try for the Stormers after Cardiff couldn't deal with a ball kicked into their dead ball area in the 33rd minute, and Willemse slotted the conversion from a difficult angle to push the home side's lead out to 19-7. Cardiff would not lie down, and they scored next when winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb collected a pinpoint cross kick to score an unconverted try as the visitors cut the lead to 19-12 just before halftime. The Stormers were first to score in the second half when Hartzenberg scored his second, collecting a cross-kick from Manie Libbok to go over in the right-hand corner. While Willemse couldn't add the extras, the home side led 24-12 in the 47th minute. Cardiff, to their credit, kept themselves in the game as they were next to score through Harri Millard, after some excellent handling worked space for the centre on the right, and his pace did the rest to cut the Stormers lead to 24-17. The Stormers also lost Willemse to a red card for a high shot during the build-up to the try as both sides were now down to 14 men with 22 minutes left to play. Connor Evans gave the Stormers some breathing space in the 72nd minute after Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu put him away after the replacement flyhalf had collected his own kick-ahead. Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the conversion to give the Stormers a 31-17 lead. Again, however, Cardiff hit right back when an effective rolling maul saw Dafydd Hughes crash over for a converted try as the score read 31-17 with three minutes left. The Stormers wrapped up the points in the 79th minute as Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted a penalty to ensure the win for John Dobson's charges. The Stormers will now face either Glasgow Warriors or the Sharks away in the play-offs, depending on the Saturday's results. Scorers Stormers 34 (19) Conversions: Damian Willemse (2), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Emotional weekend in South African rugby as Cornal Hendricks is remembered
Utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg will play in his 50th match for the Stormers on Friday when they face Cardiff in the final match of the regular United Rugby Championship season. Image: BackpagePix While it's the final round-robin stage of the United Rugby Championship (URC), it will be an emotional weekend in South African rugby after the untimely passing of former Springbok Cornal Hendricks. He was a teammate to plenty of players running out for the four SA franchises, whether at the Boks, Blitzboks, Bulls, Boland, or Cheetahs. With the knockout places secured for the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers, this weekend's clashes will see the quarter-final duels sorted. There is still an opportunity for a coastal derby in one of the final four matches, but that will only become clear on Saturday evening when defending champions the Glasgow Warriors face Leinster. For now, the Sharks' concentration will be on putting in a strong performance at home on Saturday against the Scarlets to grab third place on the overall URC log and put pressure on the Warriors. The third spot could still guarantee a home semi-final for the Durbanites. The Stormers, on the other hand, selected a 'weakened' side for their final game on Friday evening. Director of rugby John Dobson explained that he wants to give some of his regulars a breather to keep them fresh for the quarters. It could cost them some momentum against a desperate Cardiff, but the squad is still strong enough to perform at its peak in front of the home crowd. It will be a sombre atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld where the Bulls will say farewell to Hendricks, a much-loved figure in their squad before he moved back to his home union in the Western Cape. There will be a minute of silence for the speedster, while flags at the stadium will fly at half-mast. The Bulls can secure second place, which could guarantee a home game until the semi-finals at least, with a victory, while they will also want to put out a statement performance ahead of the play-offs. They are in a prime position to go all the way this season after three tournaments almost claiming the title. In Johannesburg, the Lions can only play to salvage some pride when they face the Ospreys in their last game of the season. It has been a disappointing ending to their promising campaign, but they would want to end on a high against their Welsh opponents.
