Stormers want to call the shots
Stormers captain Jean de Villiers is not interested in taking risks without building a significant advantage on the scoreboard first.
The Stormers have have been criticised for their conservative approach which has not yet earned them a four-try bonus point this season, but De Villiers is adamant that they are not about to change too much a week before the play-offs.
The South African conference winners need just one log point from their clash with the Rebels to secure a home semifinal, and De Villiers made it clear that they intend to stick to what has got them into this position on Saturday.
He explained: "I have learned in the past that your priority should be to get in front first. If that is three points at a time or five points at a time it doesn't really matter.
"If you can get a 12 or 15 point buffer just by kicking penalties then you are in a position to take more chances and then go for the tries.
"I think it is all about building your innings and making the right calls at the right times. Maybe those 50/50 calls where we would have gone for poles we might go for a line-out ball but it all depends on how we go during the game," added the Stormers skipper.
De Villiers said that his team take plenty of pride in their impressive win ratio this season, and added that they are excited about taking that momentum forward into the knock-out phase of the competition.
"The previous best record in the Super 14 was winning 11 out of 13 games which is about an 85 percent win ratio whereas if we win this weekend it can be the best win percentage in the competition, and I think that is something quite unique and special.
"As we go on we are achieving milestones and we are getting better as a team, even though it might not look like it every single Saturday I think we are on the right track and we are going in a direction that we believe can bring us success," he said.
Although many might see the Rebels clash as a prime opportunity to take advantage of weakened opposition at the end of a long season De Villiers said that his team will have to work hard to contain them as the visitors cannot be taken lightly.
"I think the Rebels team has improved so much this year given that they only came into the competition last year. We had a tough game playing over there last year and managed to get a bonus point but they have got quality players in their side.
"If you look at that backline with guys like [Mark] Gerrard, [Julian] Huxley and [Stirling] Mortlock all internationals so you have to pitch up on the day otherwise you will get surprised and you will get beaten, it doesn't matter who you are playing in this competition," he said.
The Rebels are expected to play with plenty of passion at Newlands as they bid farewell to the experienced backline trio of Gerrard, Huxley and Mortlock, but De Villiers pointed out that his team have a lot to play for themselves.
"There will definitely be a feeling that they want to play for each other and let those guys leave with good memories.
"A guy like Mortlock has given so much for his country and the franchises that he has been involved with. There is always something to play for and the attitude that you arrive with and the mental preparation that you go through.
"We have also got a lot to play for, we don't have guys retiring yet but there are the play-offs and semifinals to play for," he said.
By Michael de Vries
