Stormers on form in Super Rugby pre-season victories

The Stormers have flexed their muscles with two resounding pre-season wins‚ which will do nothing if not boost their confidence two weeks before Super Rugby starts.

After beating the Cheetahs 43-7 in Harare nine days ago‚ the Stormers racked up another comfortable scoreboard showing with a 57-14 win over the SWD Eagles in George at the weekend.

Scorelines mean little at this stage of the campaign‚ but coach Robbie Fleck is satisfied with the performances and development of the team in this period.

He was especially happy with the way his team performed in difficult‚ wet conditions in George.

“In the first half the ball was like a piece of soap and it was a good opportunity 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 lineout 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.”

The Stormers meet the Lions in their third and final pre-season friendly this weekend and it should be the most accurate test of where both teams are going into the tournament.

In 2017 the Stormers take on five New Zealand teams in the pool phase of Super Rugby‚ which will pose some new challenges for his team.

The Lions were runners-up in Super Rugby last year and the South African team that plays the most similar style to that of NZ sides‚ which will be another unit of measurement for the Stormers.

“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‚” Fleck said.

“It will be a true test of how far we have come since last year‚ it will be a great test for us. 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.”

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport