Injured Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea will not play against the Stormers in Saturday’s Super Rugby clash at Newlands.
But that doesn’t mean the New Zealanders won’t pose a threat at the breakdown according to Cape boss John Dobson.
Ahead of hosting the Kiwis for the season opener, Dobson says of their visitors: “They will hit the breakdown hard, last year they were the best stealing team in the competition.
“I don’t think our breakdown was accurate against the Sharks [on Super Hero Sunday]. I know Savea is not playing - he had the most steals for the Hurricanes last year. But even a guy like [scrumhalf TJ] Perenara can steal.
“I expect them to have great line speed and to attack our breakdown.”
OFF THE HOOK: Injured Ardie Savea. Picture: BackpagePix.
For the match against the Sharks, Dobson started skipper Siya Kolisi at No.8, with Nama Xhaba wearing the openside flanker jersey.
However, with Pieter-Steph du Toit fit again, the coach will surely be tempted to move Kolisi back to the No.6 jumper to partner his Springbok flank teammate.
Dobson, though, is not only wary of the breakdown threat of the Canes.
He adds: “They have amazing X-factor in their backline. Ben Lam and [Ngani] Laumape are going to give them momentum.
“We anticipate them playing with tempo, using their big carriers.”
While he has a good idea of what to expect from the visitors, Dobson is fully concentrated on his team and what they must do.
BREAKDOWN STAR: Ace Siya Kolisi. Picture: BackpagePix.
He explains: “We will be looking to engage them at forward time.
“We’re not scared of a tempo game, if the game opens up I think we’ve got magic X-factor. But we do want to engage them at scrum and maul time.”
Savea is not the only big name missing, with star flyhalf Beauden Barrett having moved on to the Blues.
CONCERNS: Coach John Dobson. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Dobson, who will name his side for the clash today, says of a Barrett-less Cane side: “It’s going to change their attack - but we don’t know Jackson Garden-Bachop well enough defensively.
“They have obvious threats [and we focused on them, as well as the] momentum of Lam and Laumape.”