Dayimani hungrier than ever
Hacjivah Dayimani is glad to be back in the mix with the DHL Stormers and hungrier than ever to make an impact.
The dynamic loose forward missed the four-week tour up north and made his return in the 31-7 win against Zebre Parma in Stellenbosch last week.
The 26-year-old gained a fresh perspective watching the team from the touchlines, and couldn’t be happier to be back at full active duty.
“I’m just grateful to be back, having not played for four weeks, and I just had to hit the ground running and it was exciting for me,” Dayimani said. “I’ve missed it and I’m looking forward to playing many more games with the guys.
“Every game I’m just trying to get better and adding a new variation to my game, and I’m just grateful I can do it with the DHL Stormers.
“It’s getting tough from now on, especially the upcoming games, so I just want to be consistent.
“Investec Champions Cup is a different kind of competition – it’s high stakes, high pressure and short turnarounds. Every game matters, and every point matters.
“For us, our main goal is to try and push to win those away games, and then win our home games. As a team we want to fire as a pack, and land those punches.”
The return of Dayimani adds to the team’s gain-line arsenal as well as reuniting the explosive loose trio of No 8 Evan Roos and opensider Deon Fourie, who also made his comeback against Zebre Parma following his World Cup exploits with the Springboks.
“The band is back! It’s been a long time since all three of us have played together,” Dayimani said. “Now we’re just trying to be in tune. It’s something we’re speaking about at training and trying to find ways on how we can click again.
“It’s going to be a good challenge, especially with how the other loose trios are playing, but we definitely want to come out on top.”
The DHL Stormers are in England to face Leicester at Welford Road Stadium on Sunday, for the first meeting between the teams and in inclement conditions.
Dayimani says that the key will be for the DHL Stormers to be as adaptable as possible and deal with whatever conditions they are faced with.
“It’s time for us to adapt and make sure we get our plan out there. In order to win this competition you have to be on your A-game and not use weather as an excuse.
“For us, it will be about not trying to play their game and emphasise our type of rugby.”
