Skilful Stormers will be fitter

This is the view of Stormers coach Robbie Fleck, who addressed the media at a pre-season camp in Hermanus on Saturday.

Fleck spoke of new "challenges" and "goals" for the season, with fitness and skills among the pre-season focus points.

"We needed to make a few changes in our set-up and the way we approach things," he said, adding: "From the players' perspective we had to make some major changes – not just in terms of the way we see the game, the way we see ourselves and our professional approach."

He said the "journey" started in November and that it was "challenging for the players and for management".

"We had a major focus on our conditioning.

"It is a talking point in South Africa, that our players are not fit enough.

"We certainly feel that there are parts of our fitness that we can improve on. I don't think it is a case of being running fit, it is about being a little bit more accurate in certain aspects of our fitness."

He added that skills were also a major focus for them.

"Hence [New Zealander]  Paul Feeney joining us," he said about improving the players' skills.

"He has had many a session, where he upskilled the players – not only in catching and passing, but more so vision and decision-making, and communication perspective.

"Another major point of focus for us was our combat – physically preparing players for one-on-one situations and getting that hard edge back into our game.

"South African players need to be able to use their physicality a little bit smarter and be more comfortable in those dark spaces.

"From a system point of view, we focused on our defence, and it went exceptionally well."

The Stormers have also been boosted on the injury front, with the players like Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Siya Kolisi and Dillyn Leyds all back in the mix.

However, Fleck said that wing Leolin Zas (tibia) might miss the first few games.

Sevens star Seabelo Senatla should return from the BlitzBoks in time for the opening match of the season against the Bulls at Newlands on February 25.

Centre Huw Jones, though, won't be available till late Match, as he will join Scotland for the Six Nations – which runs from February 4 until March 18.

@rugby365com