Red-hot Zas ready to spark
Speedster Leolin Zas can’t wait for the DHL Stormers’ first game back at DHL Stadium this weekend and continue his impressive start to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
After a challenging three-match European tour, the DHL Stormers are eager to bounce back in front of their home fans on Saturday, when they host Irish outfit Munster in Round Five of the Vodacom URC.
Despite the early setbacks, there is no sense of panic within the DHL Stormers camp and Zas, one of the squad’s experienced players, remains optimistic about the road ahead.
The left winger scored two tries to help the DHL Stormers claim a bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi two weeks ago, after opening his account in 2024-25 against the Ospreys.
Zas played a key role as the DHL Stormers charged towards the inaugural Vodacom URC title in 2021-22. He scored 11 tries over the course of the regular season to end the campaign at the top of the charts, and was one of five players from the DHL Stormers included in the league’s Dream Team.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, the flyer believes that the Capetonians are well positioned to turn things around.
“We’ve been here before. Over the last two seasons we have bounced back, after losing four games in a row last season and only getting one win on tour in the first season,” he said.
The DHL Stormers’ resilience has been a hallmark of their recent campaigns, and Zas credits the coaching staff for instilling confidence and providing the players with the freedom to play their natural game.
“The coaches must get plenty of credit. Even though the tour didn’t go our way, we know why, but we still have the freedom to express ourselves on the pitch,” he explained.
“We know what to work on. The good thing is that it’s in our system and in our control.”
As the team gears up to face Munster, Zas stressed that the early-season struggles are no cause for alarm. The 28-year-old draws on the DHL Stormers’ past experiences of tough stretches overseas before returning to winning ways in Cape Town.
“This is only the third game of the season. We just need to be patient. It will come,” he stated. “As I said, we’ve been in this position before.
“Once the ball starts to stick for us, we will be up there again.”
He also emphasised the importance of reconnecting with loved ones and resetting mentally ahead of Saturday’s clash in Cape Town.
“It’s been good to see the family and just get a hug. It’s also good to sleep in your own bed for once,” said Zas, underscoring the value of recharging after a tough tour.
Saturday’s clash with Munster presents a formidable challenge, as the DHL Stormers are hunting a first win against the Red Army from Limerick.
It’s a repeat of a thrilling 2022-23 Vodacom URC final between the teams in the shadow of Table Mountain, the Irish visitors narrowly beating the DHL Stormers in the showpiece at DHL Stadium.
“The guys are very calm. We aren’t living in the past. What has happened has happened,” Zas noted.
“We are just focusing on Saturday. It was a tough loss against Edinburgh, but we are up for this game.”
