Stormers chase top URC spot in Cardiff as Venter urges urgency

Stormers eye top spot as URC pool stage ends in Cardiff

The Stormers have already qualified for the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs and secured a place in the top four, but they head to Cardiff’s Arms Park on Friday night with plenty still to play for.

Home advantage the prize

The Cape side are currently second on the log. A win over Cardiff combined with a Glasgow Warriors slip-up against Ulster would lift the Stormers to first, which would secure home-ground advantage through the remainder of the playoff phase.

Regardless of Friday’s result, the Stormers will host a quarter-final at the end of the month. Where they finish on the log, however, will determine whether they would travel for a potential semi-final possibly to Scotland or Ireland if they progress through the quarters.

Venter: desperation high after draw with Ulster

Hooker André‑Hugo Venter said the squad felt their recent draw with Ulster like a loss and that the team’s level of desperation is high going into the final pool match.

“We felt like it was a loss in our last game (against Ulster) so our level of desperation is right up there with theirs (Cardiff, who need to win to make sure of their place in the top eight),”

“We are in the playoffs but we want to play at home after the quarterfinals if we get through that game, so we desperately do need to win against Cardiff. It will improve our chances of playing at home after the quarterfinals and we will be going all out to achieve that. They won’t be more desperate than us. We have a lot to play for.”

Focus on preparation and discipline

Venter stressed the importance of the build-up to the match, saying the team must identify and fix weaknesses before opponents can exploit them. He highlighted discipline and decision-making as key areas.

“So, understanding that and finding our weaknesses before the other teams can is going to be massive for us leading up to the play-offs as well. I think (also important) for us going into this weekend is discipline, decision making and basically not playing against ourselves in some scenarios.”

What’s at stake

• Win vs Cardiff + Glasgow dropping points to Ulster = Stormers finish top
• Glasgow win with a bonus point = Stormers remain second
• Finishing outside the top two would mean a potential away semi-final

The Stormers travel to Wales aiming to close the URC pool stage on a high and give themselves the best possible path through the knockout rounds.