DHL Stormers embracing Bulls challenge

The DHL Stormers are intent on rising to the challenge against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

Coming off a disappointing draw with the Sunwolves in Singapore, the DHL Stormers know that they will have to make a major step up in Pretoria on Saturday.

Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that the team are hungry to make amends and show that they are capable of playing better rugby than they did in Singapore.

“Week-in and week-out we want to be in a position where we have to compete and be at our best, we certainly weren’t against the Sunwolves and we need to cop that, understand it and learn from it.

“It is now a real situation where every single game counts now,” he said.

Fleck knows that his side are in for a serious test against a competitive Vodacom Bulls side who are coming off consecutive defeats themselves.

“Our backs are against the wall but so are theirs, they are coming off two losses and are playing in front of their home fans, so it is going to be a helluva game and we are excited about making amends for last week,” he said.

The DHL Stormers coach feels that the key will be to keep things clear and simple against a Vodacom Bulls side that have shown improvement since they went down 33-9 at DHL Newlands in the opening round of the competition this season.

“They have certainly improved since they played us at DHL Newlands, they are a better side.

“We have got to keep it really simple and we can’t get too tied up in the emotional side of things. The Bulls play a specific way, yes they are changing things but they are built on physicality and attitude up at Loftus.

“Every time we play them we feel that we are always well prepared and that complacency will never creep into our game against them,” he said.

Lock Eben Etzebeth is available for selection having recovered from a calf injury, but the DHL Stormers will be without the services of co-captain Juan de Jongh who has a hamstring strain and prop JC Janse van Rensburg who is out for 12 weeks with a knee injury.

“JC is out for 12 weeks, he did his MCL (medial cruciate ligament), and Juan de Jongh has got a Grade One strain of the hamstring so he will be out of the mix this weekend which is a big blow.

“You want your best players on the park in a game like this, but there is not much we can do about it now,’ Fleck added.