Burger expects hostile Vélez Sarsfield

The Cape side will fly out on Wednesday for the fifth round tie and they are doing so after an impressive 31-11 win over the Brumbies at Newlands.

This Saturday's game will be the Stormers' first-ever Super Rugby match in Argentina and it will be a new experience for many of the players in the Stormers' squad says Burger.  

"It's going to be hostile and you can't prepare them for that," said Burger at the team's High Performance Centre in Bellville on Monday. 

"The Vélez Sarsfield is an old football Stadium. It is really nice stadium – the crowd is right on top of you. It doesn't always come across when you are watching on TV but it is a hostile environment. 

"It [Argentina] is one of that countries that we don't travel to that often. I think a lot of players in this group have not been there, so I think it's exciting to go to a new venue. I have been fortunate to go there quite a few times."

Burger said he is expecting a backlash from the Jaguares after the Argentinians were narrowly beaten 26-30 by the Chiefs in their Round Four clash.

"I actually watched their game on the weekend against the Chiefs. That was their first home game and unfortunately they did not have the desired result so they are going to be desperate for this weekend,"

Meanwhile, Stormers forwards coach Russell Winter was happy with his team' improved performance at the breakdowns against the Brumbies.

The Stormers kept the likes of David Pocock, Scott Fardy and Stephen Moore quiet in that area for most of the game.

"We spent a lot of time in the off-season and in the last couple of weeks on the breakdown," said Winter. 

"We know there is a huge emphasis there as far as all the games are concerned. We are trying to make that a point of difference where we can maintain the possession of our own ball and try and put teams under pressure. 

"We worked hard on it and it seemed to work out for us on the weekend."

By Warren Fortune

@FortuneWarren

@rugby365com