Deft Dayimani, Stormers braced for battle 'in the trenches' against Connacht

Stormers loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani, known for his nimbleness around the park, says the team is readying themselves for a battle in the trenches in Saturday’s meeting with Connacht in Dublin.

The Stormers were able to employ a free-flowing game plan during their South African leg of the United Rugby Championship which saw them beat the Bulls, Lions and Sharks, with Dayimani featuring prominently.

According to the player, he’s been able to actuate various layers of his game at the Stormers which have been beneficial to the team.

"The type of game I’m trying to play at the Stormers suits the team: the coaches and players are all aligned and it works for me… some days I’m tight, some days I’m on the edges," Dayimani told reporters on Monday.

However, it goes without saying that the weather in Dublin will necessitate a change in game plan for the players because it may well be a toil with conditions being influential. It is something Dayimani is aware of.

"It’s going to be a different game for us and we are preparing for that. That’s our mindset this week: to expect anything – it’s going to rain, it’s not going to be pleasant," Dayimani said, adding:

News coming out of the Stormers camp this week is that abrasive No 8 Evan Roos has been training again with the team after some time on the sidelines because of injury.

Dayimani is one who is accustomed to the isolation of injury, but he has returned with a mindset to improve parts of his game he sees as being rough around the edges.

He says he is now focused on working on his work rate and defence because his attacking exploits are well publicised.

"When I moved to the Stormers, a lot of emphasis was on my off the ball work… what I do when I’m in space without the ball," he said.

R