Stormers want to run teams ragged

The Cape side has been criticised in the past for not scoring enough tries, but that could all change if they manage to get their "new game plan" right. 

"We have taken a slightly new approach to the pre-season," said scrumhalf Nic Groom.

"There is a lot more ball-in-hand stuff – a lot of running as well and it's really the only time of year we can focus on conditioning. I think we are definitely ticking a lot of boxes.

"The game changes and you can't just rely on brute strength to run over someone."

Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni and flank Siyamthanda Kolisi echoed Groom's sentiments and they both believe a new exciting brand of rugby will appeal to the team's fans. 

"I think as a young side the guys want to throw the ball around a bit and that is the traditional Stormers style," said Ntubeni

"Fleckie [Robbie Fleck] has really emphasised that – we are going to try and throw the ball around and play some exciting rugby so we can get more people at Newlands."

Kolisi feels the new attacking approach will improve the forwards' skill levels as well.  

"I know it's going to help me a lot. I have to learn to pass left and right more," said Kolisi.

"Every single forward must be able to pass left and right. We can't have this game plan and then have a couple of players who can't pass. 

"It's going to be more of a link between backs and forwards. Everyone must be able to run with the ball, everyone must be able to pass. It's going to be awesome, but we are going to have to be very fit. That is why we are running so much during pre-season."

The set piece is another area the Cape side is focussing on with new forwards coach Russell Winter putting them through their paces in the Cape's summer heat.

"It's nice for the players to learn from a different perspective," Ntubeni added. "Russell played a lot of rugby and he coached with a lot of international coaches so his mind-set is different from what we are used to. 

"As a player it's always nice to have something new, otherwise you get a bit stale."

By Warren Fortune

@FortuneWarren

@rugby365com