Stormers 'epitomise' South African rugby

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Highlanders captain Luke Whitelock is aware of the physical challenge his team is up against when they face the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

Both teams enter the match needing a win to stay in the Super Rugby play-off race.

For Whitelock the biggest challenge his team faces is up front where the Stormers will look to dominate with their Springboks.

“They got a big pack and they play pretty direct,” Whitelock told reporters at the team’s hotel in Cape Town. “Their set-piece is really good and that is what South African rugby is born with and the Stormers epitomise that.

“I guess they will be just coming [to knock] down the front door and use their physicality at every chance they get.”

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Highlanders assistant coach Mark Hammett echoed his captain’s view.

“Traditionally and certainly from what we have seen this year that [forward dominance] forms a lot of their game, so we are aware of that.

“We are pretty proud of what we have been putting out this year in terms of that, but it is a threat and we acknowledge it and we are looking forward to that challenge,” Hammett added.

To help combat the Stormers’ strong pack, the Highlanders will unleash 128kg, 204cm lock Pari Pari Parkinson who replaces Josh Dickson and will partner Tom Franklin in the second row at Newlands.

“He is our biggest guy and the Stormers got plenty of big guys, so we will try to put some big on big,” said Highlanders loose forward James Lentjes.

By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com