Toulon Triumphs Over Stormers in Gqeberha: Key Takeaways
Toulon secured a 24-14 victory over the Stormers in the Investec Champions Cup, marking a significant milestone as their first win outside Europe. The match, held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa, was a highly spirited affair both on and off the pitch. A passionate local crowd filled the stands in what was a rare rugby spectacle for the region. Despite the fervent support, the Stormers couldn’t capitalize on the home advantage, succumbing to a more disciplined and lethal Toulon side.
Stormers’ Struggles Continue
The Stormers’ poor run of form persisted, with this defeat extending their challenging season to only two wins in seven games across all competitions. Despite taking the fixture to a different venue in the Eastern Cape, they failed to alter their fortunes. Their performance was riddled with inaccuracies and ill-discipline, exemplified by conceding 13 penalties. One particularly reckless moment came when Leolin Zas received a yellow card for a dangerous shoulder charge, which could have easily been a red. This occurred at a critical juncture when Toulon was down a player, and the Stormers were mounting an attack.
Opportunities to take control of the game presented themselves but were wasted through stuttering attacks and unnecessary penalties. This inconsistency highlights the widening gap between this current Stormers team and the one that won the United Rugby Championship and reached the final in the subsequent season.
Joseph Dweba Shines Amid Mediocrity
One bright spot in the Stormers’ performance was hooker Joseph Dweba. Despite his team’s struggles, Dweba demonstrated a high work rate, physicality, and accuracy, elements that have often been questioned in his game. He scored a crucial try before halftime, showcasing his improved set-piece precision.
With South Africa potentially experimenting with their squad next year, Dweba could stake a claim for a place behind Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi. His performance comes at a time when other candidates, such as Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Andre-Hugo Venter, have failed to seize opportunities in 2024. At 29, Dweba is entering his prime years and could still become a consistent contributor to the Springboks.
Toulon Shows Signs of Revival
While Toulon is not yet the dominant force it was in its heyday, this performance hinted at a potential resurgence. Despite some weaknesses, such as issues in the scrum with Dany Priso struggling against Neethling Fouche, the French side displayed elements of a cohesive and dangerous team.
Scrum-half Baptiste Serin was pivotal, delivering a standout performance that earned him man-of-the-match honors. Gabin Villiere also impressed with his dual contributions on offense and defense, including a crucial defensive hit leading to a try. Other notable performances came from Dan Biggar, Lewis Ludlam, Dave Ribbans, and Facundo Isa, who powered through the Stormers’ defense to score from close range.
A Controversial Red Card
The match also saw a controversial red card for Toulon’s Yannick Youyoutte following a high tackle on Manie Libbok. The decision, made by referee Karl Dickson, was upheld after consultation with his assistants, who considered the actions of Stormers winger Suleiman Hartzenberg as a possible mitigating factor. Despite this setback and a subsequent yellow card for the Stormers, Toulon maintained composure to seal the win.
Looking Ahead
For Toulon, this victory could signal a shift towards rebuilding a dynasty, as they continue to refine their game under a balanced roster. For the Stormers, however, urgent improvements are needed to rediscover their winning formula and climb out of their current slump.