Stormers aim to up intensity

An intensity similar to what they could expect in the Super Rugby play-offs.

This is what the Stormers are looking for tonight in their last home game against the Sunwolves before their home quarterfinal fixture on July 22, against a Kiwi opponent yet to be determined.

At times, the Stormers lacked consistency and intensity in their hard-fought 40-34 win over the Cheetahs last weekend in Bloemfontein and coach Robbie Fleck said they need to show their mettle in several aspects.

“We want to make a step up in all areas of our game and lift the intensity as much as possible,” Fleck said.

After the Sunwolves were annihilated 94-7 by the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, the Stormers probably don’t expect the tightest of contests, but it will serve them well not to be concerned about the scoreboard, rather to get their processes up to standard.

As it stands, the Stormers could be facing either the Chiefs or the Hurricanes in the quarterfinal and judging by their performance against the Cheetahs, they won’t stand much of a chance if they don’t tighten the screws on their defensive headaches.

There will be big interest in the performances of the two 19-yearold SA Under-20 stars flyhalf Damian Willemse (above) and loose forward Juarno Augustus.

While Augustus will not play in his regular position of eighthman but at blindside flank, there is a big future predicted for him, while Willemse made his first outing last weekend and is still finding his feet at the higher level.

Kick-off: 7.30pm.