Stormers leave new home cold
On their first day in their new Cape Town Stadium home the Stormers criminally left the back door open, resulting in a 34-33 defeat to the Cheetahs.
Though they excelled in the primary phases they could not make their dominance count and will have to improve before they go into European combat. They will be concerned that as the shadows grew the visitors played with more verve and vigour.
Not that the Cheetahs did not impress in the first half.
With the Stormers’ back door ajar the sticky fingered, long of stride Cheetahs looted through exquisite counterattack.
While their discipline abandoned them, the Cheetahs proved potent when they explored the extremities of the field.
Their chief tormentor was former Blitzbok Rocko Specman. Every time he was in possession opportunity beckoned.
Illuminated the stage
He was put on his backside in a defensive blunder that led to a try for Tristan Leyds but he illuminated the stage with three quality long-range tries.
His first came after sterling work from Clayton Blommetjies, who scythed through a gap after he collected an uncontested kick.
His second was one in which he just about stuck his tongue out to the defenders. Every dummy he made ended with a “sold” sign on it.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Stormers.
Even without their Rugby World Cup winning front row their set piece was again dominant.
To be fair, scrumming is not an area in which the Cheetahs have excelled of late. Defections have hit them hard.
The Stormers will also be pleased with their maul defence which thwarted the Cheetahs’ advances at close quarters.
Kade Wolhuter’s goalkicking proved hugely reassuring. He however was less assured with the kicking tee out of sight.
Moving to Cape Town Stadium will give Western Province and the Stormers the opportunity to start a new chapter and break with the franchise’s troubled recent past.
Former Western Province stalwarts Corne Krige and Robbi Kempson agree the change of setting to the Atlantic seaboard from the team’s long established Newlands base may usher in better times for the franchise.
Krige warned, however, that they had better hit the deck running.
“What might be difficult is if there is no unity in the team, they don’t play well and don’t win early on. Then it will be hard to get the crowds back in when they are allowed to,” warned the former franchise and Springbok captain.
Kempson contends the move should give the players a spring in their step. “Sometimes something like that can rejuvenate as well. Maybe that is what WP needs, a change of venue, a change of scenery. It’s a world-class stadium.”
Krige concurred: “It is an incredible stadium. If you go into the change rooms you realise you are in a modern stadium that has a lot more to offer than Newlands.”
Leaving a stadium like Newlands that opened its doors in 1890 does come with a lot of baggage. Kempson recalled his time in Belfast when Ulster moved from their Ravenhill fortress to the Kingspan Stadium. “Leaving something like that behind is never easy.
“People have to move with the times. Cape Town Stadium is an impressive facility and that may mask some of the emotions the players might be feeling. Also, with no crowds the move may not be as emotional as it might have been.”
Both former players stressed that the modern player will be less afflicted by bouts of nostalgia.
“I do think with these new-age lads the emotive side of things does not weigh as heavily on them as it does perhaps on us,” said Kempson. “We have the experience of playing in the grand old lady in Tests etc.
“Dobbo [John Dobson, the coach] definitely does but I don’t think the players of today are as emotionally attached to something like that. Case in point, Siya [Kolisi] leaving WP for the Sharks.”
Krige agreed players today are more inclined to look ahead. “Players are a lot more likely to move to another union or an overseas club. People are less nostalgic and a lot more focused on the job, doing your best and earning as much as possible.”
If the team is going to turn the stadium into the fortress Newlands used to be, they will have to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings whether that be underfoot, the lighting, the proximity of the stands and how the wind swirls.
“It is more exposed to the wind because it is on that side of the mountain,” noted Kempson. “They will have to get used to where and how to place the ball.”
“Newlands was extremely intimidating,” recalled Krige. “The supporters were right next to the field. What made Newlands special was the Newlands faithful who came week in week out irrespective of whether the team tops the log. It’s years of success that has helped build that loyal support.
“I’m hoping they can replicate that success and get the Newlands faithful in.”