Four Vodacom Stormers miss training session

The victorious Stormers, fresh from their victory over the Cats in Johannesburg last Saturday, take on the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday evening.

When they returned to the training field on Monday afternoon, it was sans scrumhalf Neil de Kock, prop JD Moller, hooker Hanyani Shimange and No 8 Adri Badenhorst.

Van der Merwe, however, said all these players only suffered from a few niggles and bumps after Saturday’s tough encounter at Ellis Park. “It is nothing to be worried about.

“They sat out training today, but all of them should be ready at the weekend.”

The coach said he was happy with the performance against the Cats. “It is always difficult to determine how the first game is going to develop in terms of our tactical appreciation of the game.

“However, I think tactically we played a very good game. The circumstances did not contribute to a very attractive game, but tactically we were good.

“We applied a lot of pressure on them and forced them to make mistakes.”

The coach lauded scrumhalf Bolla Conradie for the part he played in the victory with his clever tactical kicking. “Bolla was outstanding with his tactical kicking. And the guys followed up excellently and applied the pressure on them throughout.”

Van der Merwe again gave flyhalf Peter Grant his vote of confidence. Before the game Grant’s game – and in particular his kicking – was under scrutiny.

“Yes, he was under pressure, but we showed confidence in him and on Saturday he showed he has BMT (Big Match Temperament). His place kicking was good and in the wet his touch kicks were excellent.”