Attitude key for DHL Stormers

DHL Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat says that his team’s attitude will be key if they are to build on their win against Edinburgh with some big matches coming up at DHL Stadium.

The DHL Stormers scored seven tries in their convincing 43-21 win against the Scottish side on Saturday, which saw them move up to fifth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship standings.

Although there were more than a few more scoring opportunities that went begging, Moerat was pleased with the way his team applied themselves to get back to winning ways.

With Irish side Ulster on their way to Cape Town this week, Moerat said that the key now will be to find some consistency in their game and build some winning momentum.

“We showed some very good glimpses. Coming off the back of the previous performance, there were a lot of things that we weren’t happy with. Our attitude was one of them. There was a great shift tonight. The guys really pitched up and understood how we are going to win.

“With any team, once you get that confidence, it can be a catalyst for greater things to come. The most important thing is to be consistent with the areas that make us tick.

“It’s important that we go back to the drawing board on Monday. Ulster are a quality side, Kitsie is coming home, which will be special. So we are really looking forward to that,” he said.

Moerat was playing in his first game at DHL Stadium this season, having been sidelined with a long-term injury and he said that the atmosphere at DHL Stadium gave his side a real lift.

“It was fantastic to be back home, hopefully we can get some consistency now over the next couple of weeks and fill the stadium for some big games coming up. At the end of the day that is our goal, to make the people of Cape Town smile, so we will be hard at work on that,” he added.

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson was left somewhat frustrated by the opportunities that were wated on the night, but was encouraged by the endeavour shown by his team to fearlessly play their brand of rugby.

“It felt like a bit of our spark was back. It felt like that a lot more today, the way we want to play and our intensity, which is what Salmaan asked from the team before the game.

“What’s frustrating is how many tries we left out, after two weeks ago in Pretoria. It was probably double that today. But that’s not a technical thing. It’s not like something is wrong with our shape.

“I would rather have this than not being able to create those opportunities,” he said.