Stormers not trying anything fancy

 

The Cape side has had mixed fortunes in the set-pieces this season – dominating in the scrums, but giving up crucial possession regularly through a misfiring line-out.

 

Ntubeni believes that their issues on the touchline have come from trying to be too elaborate, and explained that they cannot afford to make things too complicated with the play-offs approaching.

 

"It is getting better, I think it was a bit complicated. The execution and a few things, so this weekend we are going to keep it a lot simpler.

 

"We didn't take what was there for us, line-outs are not a tough thing – there is always something open, you just need to exploit it or find it.

 

"These games now are going to be more sort of your Test match rugby where you take what you can get and you play with what you have, you don't want to try anything fancy because it could cost you," he said.

 

The hooker knows that the performance of the Stormers line-out will have an influence on his Springbok hopes, with set-piece accuracy such a focus for Heyneke Meyer. 

 

"A coach like Heyneke is focused a lot on set-piece, and he puts a lot of emphasis on execution. So if our line-out isn't functioning then it minimises your chance," he said.

 

However, by his own admission Ntubeni has not hit the kind of form this season to start thinking about the Springboks, and his focus is solely on the Stormers.

 

"I haven't hit the form that I wanted to hit but it is a lot better than it was at the beginning of the year.

 

"I don't think I should put pressure on myself to make the Bok squad, I need to focus on the Stormers and do well for the Stormers. If I do that then we can start thinking of contention for the Bok side," he said.

 

After going down to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein earlier this season, the Stormers cannot afford another slip-up if they are to top the South African conference and take some proper momentum into the play-offs this year.

 

"A team like that is very dangerous, they are going to play with everything they have got. The one thing we cannot do is not have respect for them, that is what happened in Bloemfontein," Ntubeni warned.