After a developmental stint in France, Hacjivah Dayimani has returned to the Stormers, sharpening his all-around game and confirming his versatility on the field. With his contract extended through the current season following his loan at Racing 92, Dayimani is set to play a pivotal role, particularly in light of Evan Roos's unavailability for the upcoming URC match against Edinburgh.
Dayimani's time in France honed his work rate, a necessary enhancement for his dynamic style, traditionally suited to the Stormers' attack-oriented strategies. "Moving to France was where I actually realized that work rate is a part of the game where I would have to shore up more. I always had the ability because I was always playing in the tight," Dayimani remarked on the improvements he's made abroad.
"I’ve been working hard this pre-season and have tried to adapt to a different type of style of play – getting more involved – because I feel my strength is with the ball in hand,"
His defensive skills also received a boost, thanks to focused training sessions. "I’ve also been working a lot on defense with Norman [Laker], and so far it’s looking decent," he added during a recent interaction with the media.
The Stormers' squad depth gets a further enhancement with Siya Kolisi's return, underlining a flexible strategy in player positioning. Dayimani himself is prepared to adapt to multiple roles, possibly covering the wing as well as his customary back row positions depending on match requirements.
"Siya, he’s going to cover six, eight and seven. I’m going to cover wing in some of the games, and I’ll cover six and seven as well. It comes down to the combinations for the weekend and where the coach puts us – even this weekend. Maybe I’ll be at wing, maybe I won’t be,"
Leadership is another area where Dayimani has stepped up, especially in guiding new team members. His leadership was notably on display during a pre-season match against the Bulls where he took command. "I get asked all the questions," he explained, highlighting his role in mentoring younger players and ensuring tactical clarity.
On a personal note, Dayimani's return to Cape Town has also been influenced by family considerations, particularly after the loss of his younger brother last December. "This one season is just about seeing how it plays out. And then, after that, I’ll see where the world takes me," he shared, reflecting on his future prospects post this season.
Looking ahead to the match against Edinburgh, Dayimani underscored the importance of strategic preparations, noting Edinburgh’s formidable scrum which the Stormers are keenly analyzing. With his renewed focus and versatility, Dayimani is poised to make significant contributions to the Stormers as they aim to capitalize on their undefeated start in the URC.
