Fleck: Brumbies are the best
The Australian outfit are unbeaten after three rounds of competition and have been the most impressive side so far with their all-round performances.
They head to Newlands as the favourites, but Fleck feels his team has what it takes to counter their strengths on Saturday.
"For me they are the best side in the competition and they are actually streaks ahead," said Fleck at Newlands on Thursday.
"They are a well-oiled machine. They got a very astute coach in Steven Larkham and he has done a fantastic job with them since taking over. Every year they keep improving.
"But I felt in the first three games of the competition no one tried anything different against them and that is where we will try and be a little bit different."
The Brumbies have been extremely efficient at winning turnover ball at the breakdowns this year and Fleck feels it will have to take a team effort to counter them.
"It's not just about the flanks who have to sort out those individuals. It is the team.
"Even though [David] Pocock and [Scott] Fardy stand out, it's certainly part of their defensive system that every single player has a go at the breakdown and they all fairly good at it.
"We certainly have to challenge them in the areas they are good at, otherwise it will be an easy day for them. Our job is to keep improving every week, but we would like to try things and hopefully these things still come off," Fleck added.
Meanwhile, Fleck has made two changes to the starting team that lost 13-18 to the Sharks last weekend. Nic Groom comes in for injured Jano Vermaark at scrumhalf, while Kobus van Wyk returns to the back three in place of Leolin Zas, who has impressed with ball in hand this year.
Fleck said that Van Wyk's size counted in his favour when he selected the team.
"He was our starting wing before his injury. His size and the fact that he's got good aerial skills counts a little bit as well. It is good to have him back on the right wing there.
"He has got a little bit more experience in handling a kicking game and he is a fairly big chap so it does help us in that wide channels," said Fleck.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
