VIDEO: No 'Stilbaai fishing' for Stormers
Cape Town is enveloped in a Christmas mood, but for the Stormers, there is no time for carousing.
The Stormers will host arch rivals the Bulls in a United Rugby Championship crunch derby in the Mother City on Saturday – less than 48 hours before Christmas day.
It still seems a novel idea for South African teams to play in December.
However, Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman said they have become accustomed to playing in the summer heat in South Africa and through the Christmas season.
“Paulie [scrumhalf Paul de Wet] would be fishing in Stilbaai,” Snyman told @rugby365com.
“For us, it is a normal work week,” the assistant coach said, adding: “I know a lot of people are on holiday, but it is a great occasion for us.
“Some of the people from up north that are on holiday have the luxury of watching the Stormers and Bulls [face off].
“It is going to be a cracker.”
(WATCH as Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman previews the #BIG North-South derby face-off against the Bulls…)
The #BIG North-South derby may well attract more than 30,000 spectators – surpassing the season best of 24,515, set when the Bulls hosted the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld in Round Seven.
“We are lucky to have such great supporters,” he said of the Cape Town fans.
“We want to play a brand that excites people and they want to come and watch.”
While the Stormers have won all six URC fixtures against the Bulls, the men from Pretoria is having a stellar season and a real threat to the home team.
The last Bulls victory was the 31-27 triumph win in Pretoria in the Rainbow Cup in June 2021.
Since the start of the 2021/22 season, the Stormers’ only loss to a fellow South African opponent was 19-37 at home to the Lions in December 2021.
The Stormers only home losses since that reverse against the Lions have both been to Munster – 24-26 in the pool match in April and 14-19 in the Final in May.
Snyman said the Bulls’ improved form is a long time coming and not a quick fix.
“One or two players [recruits] are making a big difference,” the backline guru said about off-season signings like Willie le Roux, Wilco Louw and Akker van der Merwe.
“Wilco is giving them stability if the scrum.
“Willie’s ability to combine with other players and put them into space is working well for them.”
The Bulls have also added more ‘variation’ to their game.
“It is a nice challenge from us and suits their game – getting players like Kurt-Lee [Arendse] and [Canan] Moodie on the wings involved.”
The Stormers’ four-game losing run in the URC ended with their 21-7 victory over Zebre in Stellenbosch in Round Seven.
The Bulls have lost just one of their last five URC matches: 23-31 at Edinburgh in Round Five.
The Bulls’ 44-10 home victory over the Sharks in Round Seven ended a five-game losing streak against fellow South African sides in the URC.
Despite the pressure of occasion – with play-off undertones – the Cape Town franchise is not going to discard their love for an expansive game.
“We know what works for us and if we have a six out of 10 success rate and building as a team, we must just continue to improve – move it up a notch every week.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
