Stormers offer Sharks no gifts

CAPETONIANS WANT TO FINISH ON HIGH Win non-negotiable for Durbanites in their quest for a spot in the play-offs.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck believes they are going to be in no mood to give early Father Christmas handouts in their Super Rugby clash against a desperate Sharks outfit at Newlands today.

The Sharks need to keep winning to keep their slim play-off hopes alive, but Fleck said they will be keen to spoil their party and put some pride back after a less than average season.

“It’s really about ending off on a high note and giving a good sendoff to the guys who are leaving us and there’s no better team to do it than against the Sharks,” said Fleck.

Flank Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the side for the first time after Siya Kolisi was withdrawn due to illness.

“The same thing happened at the Boks and I was quite shocked as well but I learned a lot about leadership at the Boks,” he said.

“And while Siya has been the calming influence I would try to lead by example and hopefully motivate the guys enough to do well.”

While the Stormers have won just five of their 15 games, all their wins have come at Newlands, with their two losses nail-biting affairs in the form of a 15-9 defeat to the Chiefs and 26-23 to the Lions.

Fleck acknowledged that the Sharks will be in a must-win mood, but said he will rely on big ball-carriers like lock JD Schickerlingh and No 8 Juarno Augustus on the bench to do some damage in the second half.

“The Sharks are a big, powerful side and we will need guys out there who can stop their momentum and they will be desperate and they did incredibly well to turn the game around against the Lions last week,” he said.

Fleck sidestepped his future at the Stormers after a poor season and said for now all he is focusing on is to end their season with a win.

“The review process is something that happens every year, but I haven’t yet spoken to my board yet, that is next week’s problem,” he said.

Kick-off: 5.15pm

We will play for our pride and I just know the guys will go and give their all to get the win for us. Robbie Fleck