Stormers to tighten things up against Lions
Fleck was not pleased with his team's defensive effort in the 46-19 win against the Sunwolves at Newlands last weekend and knows that his team cannot afford to give the Johannesburg side too much space at Ellis Park.
"Defensively we probably let ourselves down a bit, but that is what the game [against the Sunwolves] dictated," said Fleck.
"We were slow on the fold and were slow to set, but the game generally became loose.
"The game became loose and then we all wanted to attack. We sort of dropped off on the basics of our defence systems…we will have to tighten up against the Lions."
While defence will be critical for the Stormers this weekend, Fleck knows that his team has to make a step up at the breakdowns.
He will be hoping that the the duo of Nizaam Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe can get the upper hand against the likes of Warren Whiteley and Jaco Kriel in this facet of the game.
"Nizaam Carr played extremely well against the Brumbies at No.6 and he goes back to that position, which gives Notshe a run at No.7.
"We have been trying to play all three of our loose forwards in that fetcher role and it is an important role for both of them [Carr and Notshe] this weekend," Fleck added.
Fleck also knows how important his bench players will be in the last half hour in Johannesburg.
"The Lions are an 80 minute side and you could see that clearly against the Crusaders.
"They are never out of the mix and they fight till the end.
"A strong bench is important and every single guy there has a role to play on the weekend," said Fleck.
Meanwhile, Stormers co-captain Juan de Jongh said they have been careful not to focus too much on Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies this week.
Jantjies has been in great form with ball in hand for the Lions and has been a integral part of their successes this year.
"Elton [Jantjies] has been with the Stormers for a season or two and he is a good buddy of mine so we know what to expect in terms of what Elton brings to the party," said De Jongh.
"But we are not focussing on Elton – we are focussed on what we can do this weekend. They are in good form, but we are also in good form, and we just want to make things work.
"It's going to be a nice challenge this weekend. It's two killers meeting up in Joburg and we will have to see what happens," De Jongh added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
