Dayimani

Stormers flanker Hacjivah Dayimani scored a try aginst the Vodacom Bulls last week.
Image: Twitter @THESTORMERS

Dayimani hopes to see similar crowd to the one against Bulls

Dayimani was among the try-scorers when the DHL Stormers secured a home semifinal at the expense of the Vodacom Bulls.

Dayimani

Stormers flanker Hacjivah Dayimani scored a try aginst the Vodacom Bulls last week.
Image: Twitter @THESTORMERS

DHL Stormers flanker Hacjivah Dayimani is hoping for yet another full crowd this Saturday when the Cape Town outfit tackle Connacht in the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship.

Last weekend, saw a record crowd of 44 109 supporters turned up to make the quarterfinal against the Vodacom Bulls a memorable one.

Stormers were able to edge out the Pretoria side 33-21

Dayimani hopes to see similar support in what could be the last home game of the season at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s so beautiful to see. A few years ago just before Covid, the stadiums felt empty and now people are rushing to watch us play. Our main goal is to make Cape Town smile,” he said.

“The people of Cape Town love rugby so much that even the car guard is telling you to please win because he bought tickets for his family to come watch. In other words, it’s bigger than rugby, it’s bigger than me and you and that’s what we as the DHL Stormers players play for, added Dayimani.

ALSO READ: Sharks need to adapt and play well under pressure, says Powell

The DHL Stormers are again carrying the nations’ flag in the URC

“The amount of DHL Stormers jerseys you see at the taxi rank or in the city shows you the mission we are busy with. That’s the main reason we decided to step up last season. We give our people a reason to come and watch us play. The DHL Stormers represent the diversity South Africa has.”

Dayimani was among the try-scorers when the DHL Stormers secured a home semifinal at the expense of the Vodacom Bulls.

WATCH: Cape Town crowd goes wild for Siya Kolisi

For the first time this year, the DHL Stormers were able to field the back row of Evan Roos, Dayimani and Deon Fourie that was so influential in last season’s drive to the Vodacom URC title.

Through various stages of the season, at least one of the three has been unavailable due to either Springbok commitments or injury.

Dayimani now turns his attention to Connacht

The irish side will present a tough opponent for the DHL Stormers in the semifinal. The previous meeting came in the opening round of the season in Stellenbosch, where Dayimani submitted a man-of-the-match performance to help the DHL Stormers claim a bonus-point win.

“We expect a totally different battle to what we got in Stellenbosch,” said Dayimani.

“We’ve seen what Connacht is capable of doing just by watching the Ulster game.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY ELIOT MAHLASE