VIDEO: 'This competition is absolutely brutal'
SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Stormers muted the chorus of discontent with a come-from-behind win over the Lions.
However, they are palpably aware that in one of the most punishing competitions they are just a step away from stumbling over the next hurdle.
After their humiliating 3-40 loss to the Bulls in Week One, the past weekend’s 19-17 win over the Lions – a team they last beat in 2015 – gave the team the belief that they belong.
Coach Robbie Fleck described the Stormers as ‘a completely different team’ to the one that was demolished by the Bulls the previous week.
He spoke of the ‘immense character and composure’ – a sentiment echoed by captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.
And the past weekend’s results bear testimony to the fact that one win, no matter how heartwarming, does not mean it all suddenly hunky-dory.
The Brumbies upstaged the odds to smash the Chiefs 54-17, the Crusaders humiliated the Hurricanes (38-22) and the Sharks eased past the Blues (26-7).
“The thing about this competition, if you are slightly off your game – tactically, or your mindset, or the players [not] rocking up on the day – if you get one of those things wrong, you are in for a long day,” Fleck said.
“The level of play is so high these days, this competition is absolutely brutal.
“If you are slightly off, any team can put you to the sword.
“It showed up in this week’s results,” he added.
The Stormers next face the high-flying Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
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Fleck said the team is relishing another big challenge.
“They are favourites,” the Stormers coach said, adding: “The Sharks have got two bonus-point wins in a row, they are looking strong up front and tactically they are playing really well.
“I think they have got a nice balance to their game and they are playing with confidence, they are the Currie Cup champions.
“We are up against it, which is great.
“If our team responds like they did last week to challenges thrown their way, happy days.
“Then let’s go to Durban for another big challenge.”
Captain Siya Kolisi said that his team’s desperation to impose themselves on the Lions had resulted in some indiscipline in the first half.
However, he was encouraged by the way they reacted and pulled it through after half-time.
“It was a tough week for us,” Kolisi said of trying to pick themselves up after the loss to the Bulls.
“What I enjoyed the most, everybody took ownership.
“The character that we showed, to show what we mean to one another.
“Win or lose, all we wanted was for us as players to stand up.”
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
