Cape Town - Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is confident that his side played “smart rugby” in their 57-14 win against the South Western District Eagles, but admitted that the real test will be against the all-attacking Lions next week.
Fleck’s men secured a morale-boosting victory against their franchise partners in George, after demolishing the Cheetahs one week earlier in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Stormers ran in nine tries to SWD’s two at Outeniqua Park on Saturday in a match that saw Fleck give all the players in his 30-man squad a go, and now the Stormers boss is excited to see how much his team have progressed when they face the Lions at Newlands on Saturday.
Fleck also said that he was pleased with the way his squad came through in George, where the wet conditions added to the challenge for the players and forced them to adapt their game.
“In the first half the ball was like a piece of soap and it was a good for us to play a bit of territory. Our forwards got stuck in which was very pleasing, especially with such a young pack,” Fleck said.
“We played smart rugby and once we got in their half we put them under pressure, which is pleasing. Our line-out functioned extremely well and we scrummed particularly well against probably a heavier pack.
“In the second half when the ball dried out a bit and the pitch dried up we were able to move them around better which was why we were able to score six tries in the second half. Conditions dictated what happened in both halves so it was pleasing that we showed we can play it tight and then open it up when it dried up which is great to see,” he said.
The Stormers squad consisted of a number of experienced Super Rugby players, key players returning from injury and promising youngsters. And Fleck said that he was encouraged by the impact the players, especially those returning from injury and the younger players, made.
“It was a good blend of youth and experience and the boys stood up, there were a few mistakes but that was due to the conditions I think,” he added.
“There were some pleasing performances from guys who have just come back from injury and from the youngsters. It was a welcome return for guys like JD Schickerling, Jean-Luc du Plessis, EW Viljoen and Dan Kriel who have been out for a long time so that was pleasing,” he said.
Turning his attention to the Lions, Fleck said that the Johannesburg side are the ideal opposition to measure themselves against before the season kicks off on February 25 when they host the Bulls at Newlands.
“The Lions were the best attacking side in the competition last year, they have been able to play at a tempo and intensity that matches the Kiwi sides, so there is no better opposition than the Lions.
“It will be a true test of how far we have come since last year. The big thing for me is the tempo and intensity that they bring, so we want to see where we are in terms of that and if we have improved,” he explained.
After two away games, Fleck also said that the players were excited to play in front of a home crowd.
“We have played two away games now and it will be nice to be at home. It is always good for the players to get that feeling of playing at DHL Newlands in front of our crowd and it is a great opportunity for our fans to come see how far we have come and some of the youngsters we have got coming through at the moment.”