Rugby fever hits Cape Town

After the fantastic start to the intervarsity series, The Varsity Cup, on Monday it’s now time for the big guns to start firing. Saturday 14 February looks set to be the most explosive Valentine’s Day in history as long time rivals the Vodacom Stormers and the Sharks do battle at Newlands.

Apart from a few niggling injuries to some players, Sireli Naqelevuki being one, the Vodacom Stormers should be at full strength come the match day. The Stormers may have stumbled at the start of last season, but this year head coach Rassie Erasmus has his team fired up and ready to tackle one of the world’s most intense transcontinental tournaments.

While the hype around the Sharks game has been tremendous, the Stormers are taking each game as it comes. Going in with only one thought in mind – to win. They intend to play for the fans, according to Erasmus, and while this game is of high importance it is by no means the be all and end all of the Stormers season.

With some scintillating on field contests, such as Schalk Brits and Springbok captain John Smit, it will be a complete team performance that will drive the Stormers to great things this season. The long term focus of building a team of depth and character seems to be one of the goals accomplished from last season, according to Erasmus. This is also one of the most experienced Stormers side, with two potential starters, Luke Watson and Schalk Burger, both hoping to be playing their 50th game in a Stormers jersey.

Jean de Villiers was also quick to show that this team was a far cry from the previous seasons by saying that while they were a team of individuals with some talent last year, this side is a team of players playing for each other and the especially the fans.

All thoughts are on the Sharks, but the one thing the Stormers can be certain of is that come 5pm on Saturday the 14th, the entire Newlands faithful will be behind them every step of the way!

Tickets can be purchased from Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and Checkers Hyper Stores Nationwide, via the credit card booking line on 083 915 8000 or on www.computicket.com