Stormers hit refresh button with Willemse

STORMERS coach Robbie Fleck says his team has to “get back and play extremely well” against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein today.

Fleck made a specific reference to his side’s hapless performance against the Sharks just before the international Test break, and added they were focused on getting their pre-Sharks synergy back and getting their combinations right at the Free State Stadium.

The 22-10 defeat to the Sharks at Kings Park Stadium was also mentioned earlier in the week by Fleck, who said that they were eager to hit the reset button this weekend.

“There’s a lot to be gained from our side. We’ve got to get back and play extremely well. We’ve got to get those combinations working again and we’ve got to get that synergy again,” Fleck said.

Fleck also said that the team was keen to build momentum in their three remaining games against the Cheetahs, the Sunwolves and the Bulls, and added that they would “try things” as they do their final preparations for the play-offs.

“We’ve got to try certain things as well going into the latter part of the competition, and we certainly are excited. We’ve got a lot to gain in the next three games, and it starts with the Cheetahs.”

One of those things that Fleck will be trying out will be the exciting Damian Willemse at flyhalf, as the youngster, who will make his first start for the Stormers, will get a chance to show that he’s way more than just junior star material.

Bok centre Juan de Jongh’s return to Super Rugby will also be something to look out for, while loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff, who was outstanding off the bench for the Boks against France, could make his first appearance for the Stormers since 2015.

For the Cheetahs, skipper Francois Venter returns to outside centre in the place of William Small-Smith, and Tian Meyer will get a crack at scrumhalf in the place of form No 9 Shaun Venter.

The Stormers, who could meet either the Chiefs or the Hurricanes in the quarter-finals, technically have more to lose than the Cheetahs today, as Fleck’s team run the risk of injury ahead of the play-offs or a confidence-knocking defeat.

But all those factors won’t be a focus for the Stormers, says Fleck.