Marais' Bulls a different beast says Fleck
The two rivals will meet in a North-South derby in the opening round of Super Rugby this weekend and Fleck believes the Pretoria side have added more strings to their attacking bow since Nollis Marais took over as coach.
"On the evidence of what happened in the Currie Cup, I think they [Bulls] are a little bit different," said Fleck.
"We were all pleasantly surprised in terms of what they did in that first game when Province played them at Loftus. They certainly had a more ball-in-hand approach and they certainly were dangerous – their back three were particularly dangerous during the Currie Cup."
Despite the Bulls' new-found attacking intent, Fleck knows that they still build their game on traditional strengths.
"They are not going to veer too far from what their traditional strengths, which is a good line-out and a very strong maul – their plays from mauls are obviously very good, they ahve a very tough midfield and they want to get their big ball carriers invloved.
"I would like to think that they are similar to us in that they build their game plan on their traditional strengths, but they are also looking to play a little bit more and try a few things differently, which I certainly believe makes them a more dangerous side," Fleck added.
The Bulls will be coming to Cape Town without star flyhalf Handre Pollard and while it is a big loss for the Pretoria side, Fleck feels it might also "galvanise" them as well.
"The way Pollard played at the World Cup he was one of the better players in the competition.
"He certainly suits their style, he certainly suits the way that they want to play. He is a big loss for them.
"However, you can't just point out one player – they are a young group as well.
"With that loss, it might just galvanise their team. From all accounts he [Pollard] is a great team man and he is a great motivator and I am sure he will be there on the sidelines helping the team focus and prepare for us.
"I'm sure whoever steps into his shoes understands the game plan quite well.
While the Bulls will be deciding who their starting flyhalf will be, the Stormers coaching staff will have their own big decision to make for the halfback combination.
Robert du Preez seems to be the front-runner at flyhalf after his performances in last year's Currie Cup and Springbok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak is confident the 22-year-old can shine at Newlands on Saturday.
"It was nice working with the guys during the pre-season, Just seeing Jean-Luc [du Plessis] and Rob's [Robert du Preez] progress through the pre-season was amazing.
"I got a lot of confidence in Rob. If he starts this weekend he will stand up to the challenge," said Vermaak.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
