DHL Stormers to ‘keep growing’

DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck wants his team to ‘keep growing and learning’ as they progress through the Vodacom Super Rugby season.

With five wins from their seven games the DHL Stormers host the Reds at DHL Newlands on Saturday, and Fleck sees this as another opportunity to refine their game.

“We will be tested in different areas by the Reds, but I believe we are on the up and on the right track.

“Our philosphy is that we are going to keep growing and keep learning and there were certainly a lot of positives coming out of the Lions game.

“The good thing about this side of ours is when we identify certain areas we weren’t good at, we focus on that during the week and 100% of the time we have come back the following weekend and sorted that out,” he said.

Fleck explained that there had been many positive aspects of their performance against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg, which he would like them to build on against the Reds.

“Our set-piece improved, and our scrum certainly got stronger as the game went on. Our defence was a massive improvement from the Sunwolves game, we still missed some one-on-one tackles but from a system point of view we put them under pressure at certain stages.

“I certainly think we have made some big strides in terms of our attack, and we managed to put them under pressure, but it was not quite as fluid and clinical as their’s was, so I guess that is a work in progress,” he said.

The DHL Stormers coach warned that the Reds have what it takes to punish his side if they drop their standards at all.

“If you look at the way they played against the Highlanders, from broken play they were deadly. On counter-attack and turnover possession they have got some exciting backs and when they have got some pace they are quite deadly,” he said.

While the clash with the Emirates Lions was certainly a bruising affair, Fleck was happy to report that there are no more major injury concerns.

“Siya Kolisi had some bone bruising on his knee and JD Schickerling had a stiff back but other than that we have a clean bill of health.

“Scarra Ntubeni has been working hard, so he hopefully should be available for selection this week,” he added.