Stormers are hoping to seal a wild card

Rudolph Jacobs

The winning relationship the Stormers have with Newlands looks to hold the key to their bid for the Super Rugby play-offs.

Having lost six games on the road the Stormers have won all four at home and, lying 10th in the overall table, they are just two positions adrift of a potential wild card play-off spot.

Four of their last six matches are at home, while the only away games are against the Sunwolves and the Jaguares.

And with their next two games against the Bulls and the Chiefs at home, they could make big strides towards climbing further up the ladder.

“We are going to keep fighting every week,” said coach Robbie Fleck (above).

“We have got the Bulls and the Chiefs at home, so we are looking forward to those games now.”

While the Lions are still atop the South African Conference on 31 points, the Stormers with 18 are just two points adrift of the second spot, hold jointly by the Jaguares and Bulls on 20.

“We have just got to keep encouraging and keep building on it every week by backing the players and the process we are on,” said Fleck.

With flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis and prop Frans Malherbe making their way back in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge last week after lengthy injury setbacks, the squad could even be bolstered further.

Fleck said there were encouraging signs in their 34-18 win over the Rebels last week, while the Stormers would be keen to make amends for their 33-23 loss at Loftus Versfeld a month ago.

“There were glimpses of what we have been trying to achieve this year, but by no means was it a complete performance,” said Fleck.

“We know there is still plenty we can work on, but we are excited about what we can do. The pressure is still there for us to keep performing, but it was a better performance.”

We have just got to keep encouraging and keep building on it every week by backing the players and the process.

Robbie Fleck Stormers coach