DHL Stormers target next level
DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck has challenged his team to take their game to ‘another level’ in their Vodacom Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs at DHL Newlands on Saturday.
Fleck’s charges have ended the regular season with three consecutive bonus-point wins to claim Africa conference 1 and secure home advantage in their play-off with the Chiefs, which will kick-off at 19h00 on Saturday, July 23.
Following their eight-try 52-24 victory against the Southern Kings in the final game of the regular season, Fleck said that they will embrace the challenge of facing a dangerous Chiefs outfit on home turf this weekend.
“We are going to be challenged next week but we are all embracing the fact that we are going to be playing a top quality New Zealand side, which is going to take our game to another level.
“We have to step up and we see that as a massive positive. We are really excited about next week and we can’t wait to get started with our plans.
“There are certain things we are going to focus on and it really is about us, and we believe that if we work hard enough we can push hard for a result,” he said.
The DHL Stormers are under no illusions about the size of the task in front of them against the two-time champions this weekend, but Fleck said that he has no doubt his team is capable of producing a positive result if they play to their potential.
“I have got complete belief in this team, we have shown throughout the season that we can play some decent rugby, and when we are on song we are really good and we have put some of the better sides under pressure.
“When we do get it right we are a good side and a challenging side that can beat the best in the competition.
“We are starting to put teams under pressure in different parts of the game, which makes us a little bit less predictable and a little more dangerous.
“In previous season we have been favourites, and this time we are the underdogs, but we are going to ride that and work hard and we just want Cape Town to get in behind us and have a full house at DHL Newlands on the weekend,” he said.
There were two main injury concerns from the clash with the Southern Kings with flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis limping off with an ankle injury which has put him in doubt for the quarterfinal and wing Kobus van Wyk hurting his ribs.
“The injuries are a bit of a blow for us, right now the serious one is JL, he has got an ankle injury which doesn’t look good at the moment.
“We will reassess the situation on Monday, but the pleasing aspect is that Rob du Preez is back to full fitness and Brandon Thomson got a bit of gametime against the Kings,” Fleck added.
Tickets for the Vodacom Super Rugby quarterfinal between the DHL Stormers and the Chiefs at DHL Newlands on Saturday, July 23 will go on sale at 12h00 on Monday, July 18.
Season tickets will be valid for the qualifier and public tickets range in price from as low as R85 in the standing area to R395 for Category One seats in the Grandstand. Tickets will be available from Monday, July 18 at 12h00 from Computicket and wprugby.computicket.com and the stadium box office will open at 09h00 on Tuesday, July 19. Supporters are encouraged to book early to avoid being disappointed or having to stand in long queues.
