The reason behind Stormers' solid defensive system

VIDEO: The Stormers have experienced one of their best United Rugby Championship starts, and assistant coach Norman Laker has been the mastermind.

Currently second on the table with nine points, the Cape Town-based side has recorded impressive wins over Leinster and the Ospreys – both built on a foundation of defensive steel.

What makes those victories even more remarkable is that the Stormers kept Leinster scoreless (35-0) and conceded just two tries against the Ospreys (26-10), shutting out the Welsh side completely in the second half.

“We’ve made one or two changes in the off-season that have come in nicely during the games, but obviously it hasn’t been perfect,” defence coach Norman Laker told reporters.

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Laker admitted that the result against Leinster was particularly satisfying, given his relationship with former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

Nienaber, now a senior coach at Leinster, previously served as the Stormers’ defence coach during the Rassie Erasmus era in Cape Town from 2008 to 2014.

It was during that period when the World Cup-winning coach worked closely with Laker, laying the foundations of the defensive system that would later power the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.

“I was very pleased with the way we started [against Leinster], because obviously it was against a very good friend of mine, Jacques Nienaber.

“We swapped quite a lot of ideas, even when he was at the Springboks, and we shared a lot of information with each other.

“So obviously, we knew each other inside out when it comes to defence.

“Leinster are a great attacking side. They are the champions, first of all, and probably one of the top three attacking sides in the competition.

“So, to keep them scoreless or pointless was quite pleasing.

“Like I said, we’ve made one or two tweaks in the off-season, which bothered me towards the end of last season, and everyone has bought in nicely.”

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The Stormers will head to Wales on Monday for their three-match European tour.

The franchise will face Scarlets in Wales, followed by Zebre and Benetton in Italy.

“I would say, not being arrogant, but we won’t adapt too much to the teams we play.

“We might tweak one or two things, but we’re definitely not changing our approach.

“I know where they can possibly put us under pressure, but that’s for me to know.

“They [Scarlets] have a good kicking game, they have a good ball-in-hand approach, and they have quality players.

“Then you go to Italy – 80 percent of Benetton’s team is made up of Italian internationals. On the tour to South Africa, they scored four tries against the Springboks at Loftus. So, I mean, they’re a quality outfit – physical, and the same goes for Zebre.

“All three teams have international players — Welsh internationals and Italian internationals – so it’s not going to be three easy games on tour. It’s never easy away from home, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Laker revealed that the Springbok contingent will join them in Wales.

However, he did not confirm whether they will start or not.

Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse are expected to join the Stormers in Europe.