SORRY STORMERS NOW HAVE A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB V LEICESTER

THE Stormers’ “desperately disappointing” performance against Harlequins has suddenly thrown their Champions Cup campaign into jeopardy, forcing them into a must-win match against Leicester Tigers this weekend.

Following their pak slae in London on Sunday, where they were klapped 61-10 by their hosts, the final pool encounter innie Kaap has become critically important if the Stormers are to secure a home playoff in the Round of 16.

There is a scenario in which the Kapenaars could be knocked out of the tournament should they lose without picking up any points, while both Leicester and La Rochelle collect five points from their respective final clashes.

It was arguably their swakkest performance in the tenure of coach John Dobson, and he was kwaad following the pak.

Dobson wysed: “In terms of the process and outcome, it was a desperately disappointing performance.

“Even though we left some players in Cape Town, I still thought we had a team that would compete better and get a point out of the game at least. We didn’t really come close.”

While the moerse loss will sting for a bit, the Stormers cannot wallow in self-pity. They have a short turnaround to the Leicester game, and although their supporters will stand behind them on Saturday, there is plenty to make up for.

Dobson added: “Our plan to get into the Round of 16 is still on track, but not like this. If we had lost 9-0 and got nothing out of this game [against Harlequins], we would’ve felt better. But Leicester becomes a very big game now. Our future is in our hands and if we win the game, we should host a playoff.

“Mercifully, there are no big injuries. There were some nice touches from certain players, especially off the bench. This is almost a knockout game and we must be better.”