Stormers vs Harlequins Preview - Stormers set for comfortable win

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 01 Apr 2023

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Marc Thomas 01 Apr 2023

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Watch Stormers vs Harlequins in the European Champions Cup on Saturday (15:00 BST)
Stormers have won their last 20 matches at home in all competitions
Can the Harlequins handle the African heat?

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Stormers backed at home (Getty Images)

Stormers vs Harlequins Preview

The Stormers have been turned Cape Town into a fortress and will be expecting to beat the English side. It is shaping up to be a warm day so the elements maybe against Harlequins as well as they travel to South Africa. The conditions and styles of both teams promises some good running-rugby.

Stormers vs Harlequins Preview
Head-to-Head
Stormers Form
Harlequins Form

Stormers have won 8 of their last 11 matches in all competitions
Stormers have won their last 20 matches at home in all competitions
Stormers have covered the -8.5 handicap in 7 of their last 9 matches in all competitions
Harlequins have lost 8 of their last 10 matches in all competitions
Harlequins have lost their last 7 away matches in a row
Harlequins have not covered the -8.5 handicap in 3 of their last 6 away matches in all competitions

Head-to-Head

This will be the first meeting between the sides.

Stormers Form

The Stormers finished the group stage in third place with three wins having won both home matches. They are currently in second place in the URC and are doing well at present.

John Dobson’s men recent results include a 46-19 win at the Sharks and a 23-19 win at the Bulls. They would then go on to beat the Sharks again at home this time by 29-23.

A 22-22 draw at Leinster is the latest result. The Stormers drew against an almost unstoppable Leinster as they went into the break in front but succumbed to Leinster’s eventual pressure. A try close to the end by Clayton Blommetjies went unconverted as the Stormers saw out the draw.

The Stormers are without new signing Ruben van Heerden as he is cup-tied. The rest of the squad is available for selection and we should see them at full-strength.

Harlequins Form

Harlequins finished in sixth place in the group stage and lost both of their away matches in the Champions Cup. Quins are in eighth place domestically with some poor form of late.

The London-based side lost at Gloucester by 28-26 before beating Exeter at home by 40-5. A 51-26 loss at Bristol would subsequently follow.

Quins lost 36-24 to Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their most recent match. Saracens were far too good on the day and dismantled a leaky Harlequins defence. Ill-discipline with yellow cards cost them the match that was played on neutral ground.

Harlequins came through their last match unscathed and will have their strongest side available for selection. Louis Lynagh is welcomed back in to the fold after missing the last nine months.

Verdict

Stormers v Harlequins

The Stormers have been superb at home and I expect them to cover the handicap and win the match.

Stormers -8.5

Handicap

@-111.11 - 4 Units

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