It is hard to believe that the Stormers were once the URC champions no less than 3 years ago. They recovered their season after a disastrous start to end up hosting a home final and plenty of thanks to the Bulls for beating Leinster at home. 

Then, a brave Munster won all of their play off games away from home, only for the Stormers to throw it away. 

But one constant in the Stormers team is Manie. Discarded by two franchises, the Saarks and the Booools. He was seen as only an attacking player and couldn't hold onto the ball. He found a home at a cash strap Stormers that we're living of scraps players. 

The Stormers played with freedom and a lethal attack of Dyamani, Fourie, Roos and Libbok. These guys were at the heart of their expansive play. They also had the Kitsy and Malherbe to anchor there scrum. Willemse and Gelant were on fire with some seasoned campaigners like Mel holding up the midfield. 

The Stormers were on their way. 

But none of the players are featuring or struggling with injury. 

Libbok cost the Stormers many away games and it is almost a different player away from the dry fields of SA. However, this weekend was another poor outing from Libbok. You can tell, and so many other coaches saw it in him is that he doesn't like contact. Whether he has to tackle or being tackled. He has highest turn over rate in contact, almost 70% loses the ball in contact which is alarming. He still has brilliant pass, quick stepper and some serious gas, and decent cross kick game. But his temperament is letting him down. He got charged down against the sharks, a regulation kick, became indecisive, tried to run then panicked and kicked the ball into a Saarks player. 

Lots talk about his kicking, he lost the boks a game with a regulation kick that was so easy. 

I don't know if the Stormers or boks should continue with him. He is such a risky player. 

Then, the Stormers. They have lost their hard edge. Every ball needs to be off loaded. Their away win record is appalling. They simply can't play in winter conditions. 

Dobbo hasn't evolved the team at all. Now that they have a cash injection you would think that he can select a decent team. I have questions over their lack of quality props and loose forwards. Then their outside backs if Zas, Gelant and Hartzenberg are fine and can be lethal but it is the style they try to play. They only have one setting and teams have learned how to defend against them which  is simple. Just hold your line, don't rush because the can step you and be patient. They'll make the mistakes. 

There is no pressure game, good tactical kicks etc. 

As a Stormer fine I hate the obsession with flashy players. We need players that can lay the foundation. Do we really need to have Libbok, Gelant, Zulu and Willemse all on the field at the same time. 

Gelant form has dropped drastically. 

I would leave Willemse at 15, Put Fineberg at 10 with Mathee being his deputy. I would get rid of Libbok and Gelant and let them find form in the Currie cup or find another team. 

They really need to get Pretorius back from Japan as he is probably the best outside centre that we lost to replace the aging Nel. 

We need some decent open side flanker that can play to the ball. They need back up props to Frans that never plays and why hang on to Brok Harris. The guys is 40!!!! 

What happened to that university prop Sampie Swart that the bok coaches are raving about. 

Why not dust off the cheque book and get Jan Hendrik Wessels from the Bools 

I think the Stormers will be rooted at the bottom of the table for the rest of the season 

I can't think of any coach that would have been watching Manie yesterday and be thinking to himself "Yeah, that's my guy."

17 points is far too much for one player to cost a team. It's inexcusable. And it's not a one-off...that's the problem.

Sure everybody has an off day. But if a player is worthwhile, his "on" days will more than make up for it.

He's turning into a perpetual failure machine.

And those of us that have a bias only to performances and results have been ringing the alarm bells since the WC.

The Stormers didn't actually play too badly. They made a bunch of chances but then made silly errors which were mostly unforced. .

I agree on getting new props. Also wonder what happened to swampie??

Brok is over the hill, why does Dobbo persist with this oupa ??

Somehow Rassie picked swampie, but he never played. Dobbo is a good coach but he is slipping at the moment.

Sticking with players that are not really performing is not the answer….Gelant, Libbok , Zas,Harzenberg all blow hot and cold.

They lack substance especially on defence, hot steppers, dummy runs, couple of good cross kicks, but not consistently good Rugby players that lack the Basic fundamentals.

The Stormers have there moments , but Stuck in a rut.

Revamp of Personnel is needed desperately. SFM will leave if they keep on losing…,

He is winner. So is Ruben v Heerden, Dan Dup, Willemse, Adri smith, Theunissen a lot of good players also….

Ja, I have a mate from New Zealand. They would come up against these south Island teams that just want to throw the ball around and step around players, but he said it was actual quite easy to play against them. Just keep your structure and put pressure on them, not by rushing or getting into 1 on 1 situation but just cast a net and they'll run themselves into trouble, either throw a loss pass or get caught in the the tackle. 

The Stormers played amazing rugby. Then, you just need to put some big outside backs on the wing is these small wingers will drop like flies. Kolbe really struggled against big wingers but you don't see that many around these days. 

I also think Willemse is another product of attack first and then oh shit, let me throw the ball because now I'm tackled. 

I also believe that style of play cost Ben Jason his spot in the bok team. If the game is tight, you can't just pop the ball all the time. Munster defused the Stormers with great direct rugby. 

I don't think the Stormers are going to make the playoffs. Their season is done 

Some  very good analysis on this string…the kind of discussion that makes the Board worthwhile.

Are the Stormers in the Champions Cup ? I haven’t been watching any of the URC matches, so I’m not up to date with them. 

Sounds as though they’re having a torrid time