CAPE TOWN - There have been some solid scrummaging performances by the Stormers so far, but Robbie Fleck’s team rather want to use their “exciting brand of rugby” to beat the Sunwolves on Saturday.
The first sign of the Stormers’ improved scrummaging was in their season-opening win over the Bulls. And with the Japanese side also being a nifty set-piece unit with their low scrummaging technique that makes it tough for teams to get in underneath them, forwards coach Russell Winter said that they will try and dominate at the set-piece. But it’s their attacking approach that the Stormers want to build on.
And that is another facet of play that the Sunwolves are also familiar with.
“Everybody can see that the Sunwolves are improving and technically they’re very good at the set-piece. But we’ve done our homework and we don’t want to try and play a set-piece game, we’re trying to play an exciting brand of rugby,” Winter said.
“They play a similar sort of brand - exciting rugby that people want to see. We’re definitely going to give the scrums a go and see if we can get dominance there. But if the ball is in and out quickly then the game can take over.”
Last year when the Stormers played the Sunwolves, they only managed to secure a disappointing 17-all draw, and Winter admitted that the Stormers staff could have prepared better for the trip last year, but assured that the team are better prepared this time around.
“No excuses for last year’s draw. We were in charge of our own preparation,” he added.
“So this year we wanted to make sure that we were ready. It’s very hot and humid here. So we wanted to get the guys running and let them feel the humidity. Last year, because of the humidity, the ball was wet and it almost felt like we were playing (in) raining conditions.
“We didn’t get to train at the stadium and this year we do have that chance. We just want to make sure that they get the right sleep this time around. Last year some of the guys were still battling to sleep the night before the game, but it’s no excuse. We should have gotten our preparation right.”
The Stormers travelled to Singapore with a relatively under-strength side for the round five fixture as a number of their key players are injured, while their Springbok players are being rested.
But the absence of some crucial players will also give Fleck a chance to experiment a bit more with his exciting young group. A young group that Winter believes has a number of “Springboks in the making.”
One of those exciting youngsters is Damian Willemse, who sparked the Stormers’ attack in the five minutes he was on the field against the Kings in Port Elizabeth before their bye last weekend.
“Damian’s just come out of school and everybody knows what he’s capable of doing. He’s really a special player. We’re trying to make sure that we do what’s best for the players. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He’s got a great attitude and he’s a phenomenal player. There’s no doubt that he’ll be a special player for South Africa,” Winter said.
Meanwhile, the Stormers have been dealt another injury blow in midfield, with Scottish international Huw Jones ruled out for four to five months with a hamstring tear.
Jones sustained the injury while on Six Nations duty and will undergo surgery in London.
With Juan de Jongh (out for another six weeks) and Damian de Allende (six to eight weeks) already on the sidelines, Fleck will have to choose between Dan du Plessis, Dan Kriel and EW Viljoen when he selects his centre pairing for the near future.
Cheslin Kolbe (ankle sprain) and Jano Vermaak (calf strain) are expected to return to training next week, while flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis (groin) should be up for selection in three to five weeks’ time.