VIDEO: It is going to be 'fast and furious' in Cape Town

After a fortnight of horrid European results, the focus shifts to the United Rugby Championship and several South African derbies.

The team most likely to enjoy ‘home comforts’ is the Stormers.

They host the Lions in Cape Town in a crucial game that could massively impact their play-off potential in all competitions.

With their European prospects already hanging by a feeble thread, another loss in the URC will leave them on the brink of their worst campaign since they departed Newlands and moved to the Cape Town Stadium in the Greenpoint precinct as their home ground.

The return of a host of Springboks – including lock Salmaan Moerat, who will run out for his 50th Stormers appearance – will be key for the Cape Town franchise.

Moerat, who said it took much longer than he expected to reach his 50-cap milestone for the Stormers, explained that it has been a ‘rough road’ with a rash of injuries recently.

These setbacks include a serious concussion and knee surgery this year.

Moerat admitted it is crucial that the Stormers put a run of four successive losses behind them.

This includes losing both their Champions Cup encounters – 16-52 to Harlequins and 14-24 to Toulon – with their last win having been against Munster (34-19) in mid-October.

“It is going to be challenging,” he said about ending their losing streak.

“If you continue to lose it does affect your psyche,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “The guys have been positive.”

(WATCH as Stormers and Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat talks about this week’s #BIG URC derby encounter with the Lions…..)

The other advantage is this is a home game, the first time since the Munster win that they will play at the Cape Town Stadium – with Stellenbosch and Port Elizabeth having hosted their other ‘home’ games.

“We are excited,” Moerat said, adding: “The Springboks are back [Deon Fourie, France Malherbe, Ben-Jason Dixon and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and the leadership they have brought has been great.

“We will be banking on them.”

With both teams known for their predilection towards an expansive game – despite some defensive frailties this year – it could be an entertaining affair.

The Lions, in fifth place after seven rounds (six starts, with a game in hand) have scored only 17 tries and conceded 16.

That is hardly better than the 13th-placed Stormers – with 15 tries scored and 20 conceded. from their six outings

“The Lions have been a consistently good team for the last few years,” the Bok lock said.

“They have been building and they are nice and settled now.

“They will be excited about coming to Cape Town in December, so we are expecting a fast and furious game.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com