“It’s a Super 14 final between South African teams and whatever comes with that – vuvuzelas and the excitement – has to be embraced,” said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee.
Vuvuzelas are not permitted at Newlands when the Stormers play, but the Bulls and supporters will be making a mistake if they think that their new “Player23” will knock the Stormers out of their stride.
“We have a saying in the team and that is to block out external factors.”
Stormers flyhalf and goalkicker Peter Grant will feel the pressure the most.
After Matt Giteau he’s the most accurate goalkicker in this year’s Super 14, but he can probably expect the Bulls fans to bring out their vuvuzelas when he kicks for posts on Saturday.
“The goalkickers know the pressures that come with the job and really just need to focus on what needs to be done – kicking the ball through the posts,” said Coetzee.
“The vuvuzelas can’t hurt you. They can make a noise, but can’t tackle you. Peter has showed that he can handle pressure.”
Grant certainly did not experience problems with Hamilton’s chainsaws and cowbells when the Stormers wiped the floor with the Chiefs, so why be frightened by vuvuzelas?
One of the Stormers’ biggest challenges will be to stay calm under pressure. The Crusaders could not do it against the Bulls in Soweto on Saturday and lost 24-39.
“This is a very good Bulls team and the big thing is not to get rattled,” said Coetzee.
“That’s what happened to the Crusaders. We saw how good players like Colin Slade, Sean Maitland and Dan Carter knocked the ball on. They made mistakes because of the pressure.”
For the Stormers it will be important to handle the Bulls’ kicking game.
“They have very good kickers in Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner. They launch high kicks and chase very well,” said Coetzee.
“Most of the teams in the Super 14 can not handle it. The All Blacks could not even handle it last year when Fourie du Preez and Morné Steyn played against them.
“We know the plan and mentality, and hopefully that gives us a better chance of being competitive against them.”
@ Ashley:
Wie het jou hok geskud ? 😯
What on earth is vuvzela anyway, a sort of kazoo plastic whistle thingie I assume?
@ Blue Bird:
Yes those long plastic tube like gadgets the people blow on, making a harsh noise !!!
Mostly used at the soccer here, but were embraced by BULLS fans in Soweto this weekend.
blouste @ 31
😀 niemand nie!! jy weet mos!! 😉
The Saint wrote:
With all respect Saint and also Morne: If everyone had an attitude like yours nothing will change after this Saturday. Luckily there are still people who are positive and believe things will change after this weekend. I see the last weekend and the coming one as a catalyst for bigger things. It’s a pity you guys don’t.
@ Blouste:
According to the FIFA website
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.
In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal battle, which entitled them to 20% on the platinum which is mined on their historical land. Hence, they have shares in platinum mining in the area. Upon completion, the stadium will seat 44,530.
The South African national team played a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Bakino Faso in 2001, and won 2-1. It has been host to many Premier Soccer League games despite Rustenburg not having its own team.
The stadium is only a 25 minute drive to Sun City and 30 minutes to the Pilansberg. It is 12 kilometers from the Rustenburg city centre.
@ superBul:
Think that means it was not available, since it is also a FIFA venue
@ superBul:
So 44500 then.
Thanks !!!
@ Blouste:
Something learned on this side too. Had to Google it. 😀
@ rugbybal:
With the same measure of respect. You seem to believe that I am being negative, which is definitely not the case, I am being realistic. I am merely looking beyond the occasion.
You obviously see yourself as one of those BELIEVING that everything will change after this weekend. I also said, that if the Bulls moved some of their other fixtures during the year to Soweto, THEN I’d start being VERY positive.
Just remember, belief without action, is merely daydreaming.
@ The Saint:
Don’t think we’ll see this sort of move again soon purely for financial reasons.
Maybe a warm-up game or so, but thats as far as it will go imo. Like I said, purely for financial reasons, companies having a “box” at Loftus for one, their biggest income as far as supporters coming to games are concerned…
@ Blouste:
I know, that is the point i’m making, but I am being called negative.
Honestly…R350.00 a ticket, only available through Computicket, and now I suppose the people from Soweto who earns about R725.00 a month on government grants will clamour for a ticket.
Do you understand what I am getting at? Except for a few priveleged sowetans, none of the others will experience anything of this encounter, except maybe from secondary businesses like shebeens, restaurants etc.
@ The Saint:
They are proud to have the final there anyway. You would have been too. Imagine in a thousand years Cape Town did not host a Super 14 final and now Soweto is doing it. Proudly Sowetan.
😆
@ superBul:
You do of course realize that this could be the start of a new rugby hierarchy in SA Rugby…Stormers on average are quite a bit younger than their Bulls counterparts.
This means, maybe Khayelitsha will get a S14 final in future…
@ The Saint:
Saint your team has build up a formidable squad, time is almost right for some success.
Khayelitsha will never get a S14 final ever….
And no SA rugby union will ever be able to win the S14 title more times than the Bulls have done, NO one !!! 😉
Obviously I mean the Super 15
@ The Saint:
Nothing obvious there… I just helped you out 😆
@ The Saint:
It’s a simple equation
Believe + action = positive result
Pessimism + action = almost always a negative result
You seem to be very outspoken about this. Criticizing the Bulls and then in the same breath: “the effort is praiseworthy”.
What have your precious union done for reconciliation? I guess nothing even remotely close to what the BBC is doing at the moment. Why can’t you just commend them and not throw in the negative stuff?
What we do agree about is the ACTION part.
And yes I am one of those believing people. If I was realistic I would never have been where I am at the moment.
Those Vuvuselas do make a awful noise. Wonder if it can put the other team off?…………..hehehehehehe. First time I heard so many while watching rugby the 2nd half to the Bulls semi.
Just for playing in Orlando think it will be fine. Not sure if I want to sit during a game and listen to them. Probably need ear plugs………hahahahahahaha.
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