Damian Willemse has spelled out the Stormers' Champions Cup ambition bluntly — the Cape side want to win the thing, not just qualify. Speaking ahead of their opening home fixture against Bristol Bears, Willemse acknowledged that reaching the quarterfinals and losing in the Round of 16 twice represents progress, but the squad has made a collective decision to go further. The near-miss against Toulon last season — lost by a single point — has clearly sharpened the appetite. Willemse is candid that the group task-list begins with winning at least two of their four pool games, with away trips to Bordeaux and Gloucester the obvious dangers in a draw that also includes Racing 92 in Cape Town.
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Willemse: Stormers are done with quarterfinal exits
Willemse says the Stormers have made a club-wide decision to push beyond the quarterfinals this Champions Cup season, with the group targeting a maiden title after back-to-back early exits — including last year's one-point loss to Toulon.
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