The DHL Stormers had a very productive defensive session against the Steinhoff UCT Ikey Tigers in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
In sweltering heat on the Markötter field at Paul Roos, the teams played 2 chukkas of 20 minutes each at a high intensity.
In a specialised session designed to test the evolution of their defensive system in the off-season, the DHL Stormers were made to work hard by an Ikeys side renowned for their attacking prowess
A total of 30 DHL Stormers players took to the field as Head Coach Robbie Fleck made wholesale changes at the changeover.
This proved a valuable outing, giving the coaches further opportunity to look at which areas of their defensive game need further attention.
Fleck was very happy with the outcome of what was a demanding session.
“First of all I am glad all the players came through it without any injuries, and they showed good focus out there.
“We were tested, but I was very pleased with the way the team reacted – we have certainly made good headway defensively.
“When we did get the chance to attack there was good interplay and we moved into space well so we were happy with what we achieved,” he said.
thestormers
I think Schalk Burger will be Stormers skipper.We don’t play NZ teams,we catch the Brumbies early in Cape Town,the Reds in mid-season also in Cape Town,the Rebels and Force on tour after a brief stop-over in Singapore against the Sunwolves.
Much better away tour than the 4 grueling games when we were playing in NZ and Oz.The SA derby games also line-up well,Bulls “hoe later,hoe kwater” and the Sharks at home early.We then end it with the Kings at Newlands.So potentially that could give apprentice Fleckie a 13 wins out 15 games played.
@ provincefan:
I also think the stormers will be up there come the playoffs with N dxtremely favorable draw. The big nz wings have exploited them for a while now.
@ provincefan:
Schalk as captain? Would have preferred him not even being in the squad. He is milking money left right and center at this stage of his career, from Japan to the Stormers to the UK. Can’t see him serving 3 bosses. They should have kept that Cloete laaitie and let Schalk go stuff up the back line at Saracens.
I’m also not sure how we will get 13/15. The Argentine side is almost a Puma side, they will be tough to beat. The Lions in Joburg will be difficult to win. The Cheetahs in Bloemfontein have become a problem for us these last few years. The Brumbies are more than capable of beating us at Newlands, as we saw last year once again.
The Waratahs should be a bridge too far as well, last year we beat them because they played stupid rugby against us and allowed us to score 4 tries on the counter.
Beating the Bulls twice this year also won’t be a given.
We might make the play offs, I’m not betting on it, but even if we do then it means we face a NZ side, and that will be tickets.
We have had some pretty decent squads in the past on paper, and even with those much better sides we haven’t won a tournament of this nature.
This current squad doesn’t instill much confidence in me at all.
No SA side does, only the Lions can feel somewhat optimistic as they are fairly settled. They should top their conference.
Hi Nortie
I would say de Jongh as captain,since he successfully captained us in Currie Cup rugby,but he’s in between 7’s and 15’s and that might not be ideal for Fleckie.Etsebeth would be another option,but then again he’s too quick to get involve in the confrontational kak and is too hot-headed imho.My suspicion is Burger will be captain,but that’s short-sighted cause he’s leaving at the end of the season.Wonder if Fleckie would groom a new long-term captain?What do you reckon?The only other 2 names I can think off is Nic Groom and Nizaam Carr…
My predicting Stormers to win 13/15,is more to do with where we at this time of the year…5 weeks or so before kick-off…best part of the year in SR.
Some newbies in SR will have an impact and the so-called ‘lowly ones’ are bound to play their part in causing the odd upset in one or two key wins.But like say you “better [Stormers] sides…haven’t won a tournament of this nature”,but then again anything can happen.I guess nobody predicted last season that the Hurricanes would dominate proceedings being top of the log even with a new coach or the “Cinderella Story” Highlanders winning the competition.
Our problem is that we ‘never put together the full package’.being brilliant in some areas and then being totally inadequate or disrespectful in other key areas.Priority would be for Fleckie to resource a phased game where the key fundamentals is at the core.No point in the talking point being the Stormers being brilliant upfront and in the scrums,but then the back-line or tactical kicking game and otherwise being poor.
Provided they stay injury free,then we’ve got a lock pair that can rival the Crusaders and Chiefs,and with Dillyn Leyds,Johnny Kotze and Kobus van Wyk we have some of the fastest outside backs in the comp,but our biggest problem is at 10 and having no fetcher.
And yeah knock-out rugby had not been kind to us,but since 2010 we’ve have a 66% win record,the high point being W14 L2,but we should be a lot fresher for the knock-outs than what we’ve been in previous years with this “easy draw”.
Hi MacroPolo
The downside with our easy draw is that we will be underdone should we get to the Finals.A home final first up and we get another spoiler like the Brumbies in last season.New coach and a young squad,means this year might be too soon,maybe 2 years down the line from now we can see off the Kiwi’s.
I do not think it really matters who will captain the side… the real problem is at flyhalf ( and to a lesser degree the lack of a fetcher).
I know it is boring to repeat oneself but the only real good all round good flyhalf in the region is the under 21 player Brendon Thomson. Sadly it appears as if he is not even in the running as according to newspaper reports the battle to start is between Du Preez, du Plessis and Coleman.
Du Preez is fairly decent but being a very tall player seems to be that split second too slow to release the ball ( out of hand and when he kicks under pressure) and will be targeted in that regard ( expect charge downs and interceptions or monster hits on his backs).
Du Plessis is a solid player and good goalkicker but nothing special..
The only thing I can say about Coleman is that it astonishes me that he managed to get a professional contract yet again.
So , at this stage I am not optimistic about the 2016 season. This team will certainly not beat the top Kiwi sides.
4 @ provincefan:
Great post.
I was also skeptical about Duane given the captaincy last year for the same reason you mention regarding Schalk, yet he surprised me and turned out to be a great leader.
I also think it’s time to appoint a captain with the future in mind, someone who will be there for a long time.
10 and a fetcher is a huge shortcoming, unfortunately it’s key positions.
Eben and PSdT could be fantastic as a pairing, but as you mention, they are both susceptible to injury….also, we don’t have a hooker that is accurate when it counts.
I’m not expecting much, I just hope we do ok.
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