Setbacks can't douse Stormers 'fire'
The Stormers overcame two late setbacks before cruising to a 40-7 win over the Kings in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
The late withdrawal of Springbok Duane Vermeulen (with an ankle niggle) and a fire at the team hotel in Humewood, which saw the team evacuated and kick-off delayed by half an hour, failed to stop the Cape Town-based outfit's momentum.
"Nizaam [Carr] stepped up nicely in Duane's absence," coach Allister Coetzee said.
"It shows the considerable depth we have at loose forward.
"Duane wasn't 100 percent comfortable on his ankle and we didn't feel the need to push him."
The coach was very happy with how his team managed to put the other off-field distraction behind them.
"The fire was a bit of a disruption too, especially on matchday, but I was pleased [with] how the players took it in their stride and still produced a quality performance against the Kings."
On the flipside, there was another injury setback.
Lock Rynhardt Elstadt took a knock to his ribs, which according to Coetzee is hopefully not too serious.
The Stormers boss said he is looking to mix up his selections for Saturday's final warm-up game against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
"We will know for sure about Rynhardt tomorrow [Monday]," Coetzee said on Sunday, adding: "But it doesn't look too serious.
"We will certainly be mixing things up a bit selection-wise for the Boland match, as we look to create opportunities for those players returning from injury and to have a look at all the other players who are in contention for a squad place."
Coetzee was also happy with the further improvement shown by his team during Friday's outing.
The Stormers scored six tries to one to make it two from two victories during this crucial phase of the build-up to the 2014 Super Rugby season.
However, the scoreline was not the only pleasing aspect of the Stormers' victory.
"After last weekend's Bulls game [won 26-19 by the Stormers] a few things stood out for us in terms of where we needed to improve.
"We're still building… but the process is coming together nicely," added Coetzee, who highlighted the breakdown, defence and taking opportunities on attack as the areas which required improvement.
Argentine lock Manuel Carizza made his first start for the Stormers – in the No.5 jersey – whilst fit-again Springbok Jaco Taute had a thirty-minute run-out in the No.15 jersey.
"Manuel was a little bit rusty, given that he has not played 80 minutes in a while – but there were great signs from him," said Coetzee.
"Jaco's first outing was good. We were pleased but he was happy too and came off feeling confident about his knee and his performance. Jaco needs to play more, as does [prop] Pat Cilliers, who also had a good first run of the year."
The Stormers will next take on Boland in Wellington on Saturday, February 15, with the WP Vodacom Cup team playing the curtain-raiser.
The Stormers will open their 2014 Super Rugby campaign against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 22.
