The Stormers will lean on wingers Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas to win the aerial battle against Cardiff on Saturday should both feature in the wing in the URC quarter-final.
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While revenge will be on the cards for the Stormers when they face Cardiff in their United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final in Cape Town on Saturday, there are several areas they will need to sharpen if they want to book a place in the semi-finals.
The Welsh side have already shown how dangerous they can be, using a disruptive game plan to beat the Cape outfit recently and secure their place in the Top 8. Cardiff will arrive at DHL Stadium (3.30pm kick-off) determined to follow a similar blueprint.
We look at five key areas the Stormers must get right to overpower the visitors in front of their home crowd.
This was at the heart of the Stormers’ downfall in Cardiff a few weeks ago. They struggled to secure possession and protect their ball at crucial moments — an unusual weakness for a side that generally prides itself on breakdown efficiency.
The disrupted possession prevented the Stormers from unleashing their dangerous backline, making it difficult to build sustained pressure or launching threatening attacks. While the 4G surface influenced parts of their approach, there can be no excuses this time around on home soil.
Winning the battle at the rucks and tackle area will be essential if the Stormers want to dictate proceedings and prevent Cardiff from slowing the game down.
Defending out wide has been a recurring concern for the John Dobson-coached side this season. Their aggressive rush defence remains one of their strengths, but opponents have found too much space on the edges.
For years, the Stormers built success around shutting teams down in midfield and forcing mistakes. This season, however, sides have been able to get around them far too easily. Personnel changes have played a role, but the issue has persisted longer than expected.
Although the Stormers still scramble well defensively, they cannot afford to allow Cardiff opportunities on the outside channels in a knockout clash.
The Stormers showed signs of improvement at scrum time in the previous meeting against Cardiff after struggling to impose themselves in the draw against Ulster. Back on a natural grass surface, they will expect to take another step forward.
Artificial pitches often create complications at scrum time, so the return to familiar conditions should suit Springboks Neethling Fouché and Ntuthuko Mchunu, alongside hooker André-Hugo Venter.
A dominant scrum will be crucial in laying an attacking platform and building pressure. If the Stormers fail to assert themselves at the set-piece, it could limit their ability to control territory and momentum.
Another area that has dipped in recent weeks is their handling of contestable kicks. The expected return of Seabelo Senatla should add greater security under the high ball and more pace in the chase.
Still, the quality of the kicking game itself may prove even more important. Aimless kicking will simply hand Cardiff opportunities to counterattack and apply pressure.
The execution from the halfback pairing, particularly at scrumhalf and flyhalf, will go a long way towards establishing aerial control. From there, players such as Senatla and Leolin Zas can capitalise on loose balls and turn broken play into attacking opportunities.
With DHL Stadium expected to be packed, the Stormers will not only face pressure from Cardiff, but from the occasion itself.
The home crowd will expect an entertaining and commanding display, especially if this proves to be the side’s final home game of the season. That expectation can easily lead to players forcing the issue or drifting away from the game plan.
For the Stormers, this quarter-final will be as much about composure as intensity. They need to absorb the emotion of the occasion, settle quickly, and trust their structures.
Anything less could prove costly. Having fallen short in the semi-finals over the past two seasons, the Stormers now have an opportunity to finally take the next step.