The Stormers face the Lions in a crucial Super Rugby clash at Ellis Park. This analysis highlights five key areas the Cape side must address to secure victory.
While the Stormers displayed commendable resilience against the Bulls in the North-South Derby last weekend, certain aspects of their game require refinement before facing the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday (2.30pm start). This analysis delves into five key areas the Cape side must address to secure a victory.The return of Neethling Fouché and Ali Vermaak promises to bolster the Stormers ' scrum, particularly after being outmuscled by the Bulls for significant portions of the derby.
Fouché's power at tighthead could prove crucial against the Lions' formidable scrum. Vermaak, meanwhile, might best challenge Asenathi Ntlabakanye at loosehead. The Stormers cannot afford to concede the excessive scrum penalties they incurred last weekend.Another area of concern was the Stormers' struggles at the breakdown against the Bulls. Whenever the Stormers threatened to launch an attack and shift the ball to their backline, a Bulls jackler would invariably intercept possession, disrupting their momentum. The Lions boast a formidable contingent of breakdown specialists who will be eager to capitalize on any loose ball after a tackle. Given the anticipated free-flowing nature of the game, both sides will strive to keep possession secure after tackles. Deon Fourie will be essential in generating turnovers at the breakdown when the Lions attack.Kicking accuracy will be paramount, particularly if the game comes down to a last-kick decider. The Stormers cannot afford another performance where they miss a total of four kicks at goal, including three regulation attempts, as they did against the Bulls. There will be ample scoring opportunities, even from beyond 50 meters. If Jurie Matthee is entrusted with the kicking duties, he must embrace the pressure of Ellis Park and demonstrate his capabilities. He has previously executed difficult kicks, and the Cape side will hope for a confident display from him in Johannesburg.The Stormers' lineout, once a cornerstone of their game plan, has shown signs of inconsistency in recent encounters. Opponents find it relatively easy to contest the Cape side's lineout throws, and a notable increase in overthrows has emerged as a concern. While JD Schickerling, their primary lineout caller, will be missed, they possess other talented locks who must step up. Ruben van Heerden, for instance, excelled in this role a couple of seasons ago. They must rediscover that rhythm promptly.Despite missing several key attackers, including fly-half Manie Libbok and utility backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Stormers' inaccuracy in the backline, particularly when carrying the ball, remains unacceptable. The fluidity that defines their attacking play has been absent for a couple of games. However, as attack coach Dawie Snyman emphasized this week, things are beginning to coalesce, evident in Warrick Gelant's impressive try against the Bulls. They must significantly improve their accuracy, particularly when carrying the ball, to regain the attacking prowess they displayed in the first two seasons of the URC
STORMERS LIONS SUPER RUGBY ELLIS PARK SCRUM BREAKDOWN KICKS LINEOUT ATTACK
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