At 01:05am AEST Sunday (Saturday night) the Stormers host the Brumbies at Newlands in Capetown. This game is incredibly crucial to the finals hopes of both teams.
Team Similarities and Match Importance
Both teams have played eleven matches with the Stormers 7th (7-4) winning one extra than the Brumbies 3rd (6-5). This is despite the Brumbies being only two competition points ahead (due to eight bonus points to two in favour of the Canberians). The Brumbies ladder position is also inflated due to the automatic qualifying spots and the Waratahs one point behind with a game in hand. Based on competition points only this clash would be 7th v 5th.
Both clubs lost last week to fellow countrymen with the Stormers losing last week away to the Cheetahs and the Brumbies losing a tighter game at home to the in form Waratahs. Both teams were guilty of not turning line-breaks into trys with The Brumbies converting only one of ten, where as the Stormers made an incredible fourteen line-breaks however only converted two into five pointers.
Both franchises are currently in control of their own destiny and if they win all their remaining five matches they would all but secure a home semi final. A loss however will see them relying on other results to make the the finals. Due to this fact I expect the both teams to leave nothing in the tank and both to go hard early looking for points.
Both teams also have two players returning to the starting line-up: Etzebeth and Kitshoff for the Stormers, whilst White and Arnold return for the Brumbies.
Stormers v Brumbies
 |  | 
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| Steven Kitshoff | 1 | JP Smith |
| Bongi Mbonambi | 2 | Stephen Moore |
| Frans Malherbe | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| Eben Etzebeth | 4 | Rory Arnold |
| Manuel Carizza | 5 | Sam Carter |
| Schalk Burger | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| Siya Kolisi | 7 | David Pocock |
| Duane Vermeulen | 8 | Ita Vaea |
| Nic Groom | 9 | Nic White |
| Demetri Catrakilis | 10 | Christian Lealiifano |
| Dillyn Leyds | 11 | Joe Tomane |
| Damian de Allende | 12 | Robbie Coleman |
| Juan de Jongh/Huw Jones | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| Johnny Kotze | 14 | Henry Speight |
| Cheslin Kolbe | 15 | Jesse Mogg |
| Reserves | ||
| Scarra Ntubeni | 16 | Josh Mann-Rea |
| Ali Vermaak | 17 | Allan Alaalatoa |
| Vincent Koch | 18 | Ruan Smith |
| Jean Kleyn | 19 | Jordan Smiler |
| Nizaam Carr | 20 | Jarrad Butler |
| Louis Schreuder | 21 | Michael Dowsett |
| Kurt Coleman | 22 | Nigel Ah-Wong |
| Huw Jones/Pat Howard | 23 | James Dargaville |
| Location: | Newlands, Cape Town | |
| Kickoff: | Sun 10 May 1:05 | |
| Referee: | Stuart Berry | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | Jason Jaftha | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | Quinton Immelman | |
| TMO : | Shaun Veldsman |
Key Match-Ups
Cheslin Kolbe v Jesse Mogg
An interesting fullback battle here with both players more reluctant or unable to use their physicality. This however does not hinder their effectiveness and both are vital cogs in the way their team plays. Kolbe is an impressive counter attacker with great situational awareness, he can also slot into the line and has contributed to some of the highest calibre tries this season. Mogg is more of a tactical kicker and will be looking to use his height to regather his own kicks, find touch or pin Kolbe right back. Failure to do so will allow Kolbe the time and space he craves to create his own gaps.
Duane Vermeulen v Ita Vaea
Both players had mixed performances last week with Vermeulen crossing for a try in a losing effort and Vaea had an incredible work rate early, only to somewhat go missing before being subbed in the second half. If Vaea is a serious Wallaby contender he needs to show it against the best in the business and there aren’t that many as classy as the Stormer’s Captain. If Ita can reach and maintain parity with Duane his back-row and back-line should gain dominance over the Stormers’.
Schalk Burger v David Pocock
Burger might not be the player he once was, but like McCaw you cannot afford to write him off. A match winner of the highest calibre, on his day Burger can do it all. Pocock is currently in great form and was able to stand out as a ball winner against an in form Waratahs pack last week. I expect the younger Pocock to edge this one, but only if Burger fails to fire up. Here’s a clip of Pocock putting his body on the line (or his little finger) last week to force a penalty.
Prediction
As I alluded to previously I think this game will start off very high tempo. I predict the Brumbies to play a better field position game and Lealiifano will unlock the talent around him for trys. The Brumbies will secure a first half bonus point before taking their foot off the gas and allowing the Stormers to get within two converted tries before the final siren. Brumbies by 10 (5 tries to 3, 1 maul try to Pocock)
PS. It is interesting to note former Brumby Pat Howard has been bracketed into a bench spot for the Stormers. I wonder how the 41 year old will do…
