Former Stormers and Springbok captain Corné Krige believes the Cape side have what it takes to find their best form again heading towards the business end of their URC campaign.
John Dobson’s men slipped to third on the overall log after back-to-back defeats to the Sharks in Cape Town and Durban before the break. Since then, there has been a timely boost: loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani has recommitted to the union, veteran flank Deon Fourie has returned to training following a bicep injury, and experienced backs Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis and Seabelo Senatla are all back on the training field.
For Krige, the ingredients are still there. It’s the mental edge that needs sharpening as they look to keep their charge alive for home playoffs.
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“It’s amazing how confidence can take you a long way, and when you lose that confidence, how quickly things can go backwards. It was a confidence thing against the Sharks. They could’ve won both those games even though the scores didn’t necessarily reflect that. They were in both those games into the last 15-20 minutes. It’s a mental thing, and if they get it right, they are very difficult to beat.”
He believes the Stormers’ foundations remain solid.
“Their forwards are strong, they’ve got the basics right and they’ve got exciting backline players so I think they’re still in the mix. They must just get their heads right and another win will take them a long way.”
Ironically, an area that has long been a Stormers strength – the set piece – became a pressure point in the Sharks double-header. Lineout inconsistencies, compounded by injuries to captain Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden, disrupted their rhythm and blunted one of their key attacking weapons.
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Krige expects that to be addressed ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Lions at Ellis Park.
“I think over the last three weeks, they really would’ve worked at getting their lineouts sorted, because if you lose a few in the first half, it counts against you. It becomes a confidence thing.
“And it’s part of their game plan. They kick it into the corner, and have a maul from the lineout. But you’ve got to win the lineout first. Hopefully with the reserve players coming in at lock and at flank, that they’ll be ok.”
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Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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