True scrum test awaits the Stormers
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Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is hoping the work put in during pre-season, as well as the dominant display at scrum time against the SWD Eagles, proves itself against sterner opposition in the Cheetahs next week.
The Stormers romped home to a 34-3 victory against the minnow opposition in a pre-season friendly in George on Saturday, but as in all pre-season games, it is less about the result and more about impressing in aspects around the around the park.
For Coetzee, he was clearly pleased at the way the scrums, as well as his returning and new front row forwards, went as they decimated the Eagles pack.
"I have to compliment the Eagles, who never gave up – we obviously dominated the scrums and other aspects," Coetzee said after the match.
"Overall I am reasonably happy with a lot of aspects of our game, but the guys are well aware that we have a lot of work to do.
"The pre-season friendlies were planned so that we build up to a climax.
"It will definitely be a much bigger challenge against the Cheetahs next week [Friday, at Newlands]."
Coetzee praised some of his younger front row forwards, in former Bulls youngster Wilco Louw as well as Oliver Kebble.
"I was happy when Wilco [Louw] and Oli [Oliver Kebble] came on," he added.
"The scrums were outstanding but I don't want to boast too much about the them.
"There has been a lot of focus on the set pieces in the off-season and I hope we see the same next week.
"The most important is to take a step forward in every game."
The major result for Coetzee and his charges, as with all pre-season games, is that there were no injuries as they head into a bigger pre-season fixture against the Cheetahs.
"It was a very successful game in terms of the fact that there are no injuries," the coach said.
"We got the first game out the way and we had some real contact.
"Next week against the Cheetahs the plan is to work closer to a group of 26 players,
"Depending on how players like Nizaam [Carr] and Siya [Kolisi] have recovered they will certainly be considered.
"Others like Demetri [Catrakilis], Eben [Etzebeth] and Jean Kleyn could also return.
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