INLSA

Bryan Habana has some fun with teammates during a Stormers practice in Bellville this week. Robbie Fleck says that the Springbok wing was "back to his old best" against the Cheetahs, and he is expecting another big performance in Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders at Newlands. Photo: Matthew Jordaan

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Bryan Habana is the man who can come up with a match-winning moment, and the Crusaders will “have to watch him” on Saturday. That was the warning issued by Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck on Thursday night ahead of the Super Rugby semi-final showdown at Newlands.

Habana has come under huge pressure for making a number of handling errors, although he has been superb on defence.

But he was brought to Cape Town to score tries, and after a satisfying start with seven touchdowns last season, things have become tough. Habana has scored only three in 2011, but seemed to recapture his form against the Cheetahs, snatching a try and making a few line-breaks.

“That Cheetahs game was his best performance of the year. It was just a matter of time before he had a complete game. He has really shown his willingness to improve and to get his hands on the ball. We all know what his work-rate has been like,” Fleck said.

“It was just a matter of time before the ball bounced his way. He has been working incredibly hard, and for once, things went right for him. We were extremely happy for him.

“He is a determined guy, and he still thinks that wasn’t good enough. But it was great to see Bryan back to his old best again.”

The 28-year-old will come up against try-scoring machine Sean Maitland on Saturday, but with all his experience of winning World Cup, Tri-Nations and Super 14 titles, Fleck feels that the Springbok wing can come up with a piece of individual brilliance to win the game for the Stormers.

“I hope it is him! He has been around and won plenty of trophies and accolades. It would be great for him to spark something for us to take us through to a final. He is the kind of player who can do it,” said Fleck. “We have always felt that, even though he went through a bit of a dip in form, he is one of those guys who can create something special out of nothing.

“With him returning to form, it will make the Crusaders think twice about kicking on him. They are going to have to watch him.”

But despite both teams boasting top-class backlines, the Stormers and Crusaders have kicked much more than they have run with the ball. The Kiwis used that tactic to great effect in their 20-14 win in May, and with light rain predicted on Saturday, it could be the case again.

Fleck was adamant that the Stormers were going to “mix it up” on attack. “We have held on to the ball a lot more in the last few weeks. We are at that stage now where we are feeling comfortable with the way we want to play. I think we can mix it up,” he said.

“We’ve also got the same mindset of wanting to hang on to the ball, but we realise that it is a semi-final, and we want to attack in the right areas. I believe the Crusaders will be doing exactly the same thing. They won’t be hanging on to the ball from their own tryline.”

And the former Bok centre added that the Stormers are planning to unleash their strike-runners in the second half. “Gio Aplon will definitely play a role from the back later,” Fleck said.

“We want to get the likes of Johann Sadie and Juan de Jongh on to the pitch too. Conrad Jantjes has a crucial role to play, but in those last 20 to 30 minutes, we want our runners on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Jaque Fourie has been passed fit and is “100 percent” for the semi-final after struggling with a hip-flexor problem, although Dewaldt Duvenage will have to pass a fitness test on Friday on a tight quad.

“To be honest with you, I spoke to Dewaldt on Wednesday, and he seemed a lot more confident than what he was on Monday,” Fleck said. “He is confident that he will be fine.”

TEAMS FOR NEWLANDS

Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw. Bench: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Schalk Brits, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Johann Sadie.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Bench: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty.

Referee: Craig Joubert. Kickoff: 5.05pm. TV: Live on M-Net/SS1/SS HD. - Cape Times