WP Exiles no threat to Stormers

 

Michael van der Spuy, Stephen Coetzee and Joe Pietersen are all in their matchday-23 and former Stormers players.

 

Another former Stormer, Johann Sadie, is not included in this week's squad.

 

Having learnt their trade down in the Cape, they may just know a thing or two about the Stormers' structures on the field.

 

Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen believes that although they might have some intel on their game-play, executing their strategies will put any inside information to rest. 

 

"There are a lot of guys who know our game plan and how we want to play and they would have given that through to [Cheetahs coach] Naka [Drotske]," said Vermeulen.

 

"They [the Cheetahs] will definitely have some plans up there sleeves and hopefully we can counter that with the way we play.

 

"Even if they know our game plan, we just need to execute, if you can execute then you will score."

 

The contest between the two loose forward trios will always be an interesting clash. The Cheetahs have been dealt the massive blow of no Heinrich Brussow. That alone makes one feel the Cheetahs flanks are a lot less threatening on the ground, but Vermueulen believes otherwise.

 

"They have Johannes Prinsloo who is also a very good fetcher and from the same mould as Heinrich [Brussow]."

 

"They will still be dangerous at the breakdown, and something we will have to address on Saturday."

 

The Cheetahs have nothing to lose, as a play-off spot is virtually out the window. This will make them particularly dangerous as they will look to run almost everything. 

 

With former Kings' flyer Sergeal Peterson making his Cheetahs Super Rugby debut on the wing, the Stormers back row will have to be on their toes. 

 

"He [Peterson] will want to show everyone in South Africa what he has got, but Cheslin [Kolbe] and Dillyn [Leyds] are aware of that and will be looking to close him down as quickly as possible," added Vermeulen.

 

The Stormers have managed a concerning one try in two games, but for skipper Vermeulen he wants to play winning rugby and feels his team can rectify that try-scoring record, or lack thereof, by keeping the ball for one or two more phases.

 

"Its just keeping the ball and getting through phases, we need one or two extra phases and then you walk over that try-line," added the Sormers No.8.

 

"Hopefully we can do that this weekend.

 

"But if it is a four-pointer then we will take it, I just want to play winning rugby."