From the press conference after the DHL Stormers v Highlanders game

Highlanders Head coach Jamie Joseph summed up the hard fought uncompromising nature of the game after the match saying “That’s what you get when you have two unbeaten sides, who both want to win desperately.” He went on to complement the DHL Stormers defensive effort and play at the breakdown saying “The Stormers fronted up tonight and were good from 1-22. They are a good balanced team and very physical”.

DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed his happiness with the step up made in the game, “Against a very physical and motivated Highlanders side, I thought we performed well as a team and stepped up defensively and physically.

The collisions were unbelievable tonight and I thought we had the upper hand. There were also big improvements at set piece time and on attack.”

Jean De Villiers probably summed it up best when he added, “I am very proud of how the guys played out there. The attitude showed and attitude is a decision each guy has to make.”

Commenting on the injury front Allister Coetzee confirmed:

• Schalk is touch and go for this week.

• Worms (Anton Van Zyl) is not yet ready.

• JC Kritzinger will go for scans but his knee injury looks serious.

• Frans Malherbe will be ready for next week.

• CJ has a haematoma and should be fine.

• Brok should be fine.

The DHL Stormers take on the Vodacom Bulls, who had a bye this week after losing to the Highlanders last week, at Loftus on Saturday.