DHL Stormers vs Sale Sharks | Investec Champions Cup | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | 11 January 2025; 15:00 | Betting on Hollywoodbets: Stormers win (0.3), Draw (22), Sharks win (2.7); Stormers handicap (-7.5 points), Sharks handicap (+7.5 points); Over/Under (-50pts)
The DHL Stormers are preparing for their second home game in the Investec Champions Cup, this time facing England’s Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Despite slim chances of advancing to the round of 16 following earlier defeats to Toulon and Harlequins, coach John Dobson remains optimistic. With two matches remaining—against Sale and Racing 92 in France—the Stormers’ fate still hangs in the balance, depending on their ability to secure maximum points.
The Stormers approach this game with renewed momentum following strong performances in the United Rugby Championship (URC) derbies. They claimed full points in victories over the Emirates Lions and the Hollywoodbets Sharks, easing the pressure that had previously weighed on the team. These derby wins have allowed Dobson to fully focus on the Champions Cup without the distraction of upcoming URC commitments. Additionally, the Stormers have been bolstered by the return of key players such as Deon Fourie from injury, with Evan Roos and Sti Sithole potentially available for the Sale clash.
Looking ahead, the Stormers’ January schedule presents opportunities for strategic planning. After the Sale match, they will travel to France to face Racing 92 and then to Ireland for a URC clash with Leinster. Dobson sees this as an advantage, enabling the team to treat the back-to-back away games as a cohesive tour. However, their approach to these games will depend heavily on Saturday’s result against Sale. A defeat in Cape Town would likely eliminate the Stormers from Champions Cup contention, shifting their focus toward the URC and the subsequent match against Leinster. In contrast, a win would keep their Champions Cup hopes alive and prompt the team to field their strongest lineup in both Paris and Dublin.
Dobson remains determined to “go for broke” against Sale, emphasising the importance of giving the game their all. Reflecting on their earlier Champions Cup loss to Toulon, he expressed the team’s readiness to leverage their recent form and full-strength lineup to deliver a strong performance. Should they succeed against Sale, the Stormers would have much to play for in France, building momentum ahead of their challenging Leinster encounter. Timing may also work in the Stormers’ favour for the Leinster match. The Irish team, heavily reliant on players from Ireland’s national squad, will be preparing for the Six Nations tournament set to begin shortly after.
This could result in a less formidable Leinster side, particularly as they will have recently played two demanding Champions Cup fixtures. Dobson sees this as a potential opportunity for the Stormers to push for an unlikely victory in Dublin, which he views as a valuable test for his squad regardless of the opposition. Despite their recent derby successes, Dobson acknowledges room for improvement in the Stormers’ performances. Both wins, while convincing, were marked by errors and missed opportunities. Against the Lions, the Stormers capitalised on their opponents’ top-four aspirations but lacked clinical execution.
Similarly, while the Sharks battled injuries and stayed competitive, the Stormers were clearly superior but failed to capitalise fully on their dominance. Dobson remains encouraged, noting that improvements in the team’s game plan are beginning to show positive results. The Stormers’ lineup for the crucial clash against Sale Sharks will be announced on Friday. As they head into this pivotal game, the team is buoyed by recent progress and a renewed sense of purpose, determined to keep their Champions Cup campaign alive while laying the groundwork for upcoming challenges.
