The Stormers lineout came up short against the Lions last week, but the return of Schalk Burger could motivate the pack to stand tall when the Sharks coast onto Newlands on Saturday (kick-off 7.10pm).
“You could see when the guys joined Schalk in the huddle they grew a couple of inches in confidence,” forwards coach Matt Proudfoot said yesterday after the 75-Test flanker turned up at Stormers training, having recently returned from club duty in Japan.
“It’s great to have a guy like Schalk coming into the side, a guy who is incredibly passionate about this franchise, he brings a wealth of experience, he’s got a fantastic attitude and it’s a great boost for us.”
Together with fit-again locks Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn Burger is expected to add a steely edge to the Stormers pack when the team is announced tomorrow.
“Eben and Jean are two very similar players,” added Proudfoot. “Eben is a tremendous lock forward, and he’s also so passionate about this team.
“He’s played together with Frans Malherbe, Nizaam Carr and Siya Kolisi since they were under-19s. They care for each other and fight for each other and that’s what a pack of forwards is about.”
There was no update on the availability of locks Michael Rhodes (knee) or Ruan Botha (concussion). Regardless of where and when they’re deployed, Burger, Etzebeth and Kleyn’s first order of business will be to plug the holes in a set-piece that leaked possession last week.
“The scrums improved in the second half (against the Lions) but I was very disappointed in the lineout accuracy,” said the Stormers forwards coach.
“Resilience is an important factor in developing a winning mindset. I want the pack to respond after letting themselves down last week, and we’ve done that with accuracy and intensity in training this week and through game simulation to develop confidence.” Like the Stormers, the Sharks also received an injection of confidence this week with the return of Willem Alberts from a back injury, and Frans Steyn and JP Pietersen from Japan.
“Whoever puts on the Sharks jersey will be up for the challenge,” added Proudfoot. “I’m sure (Sharks director of rugby) Gary (Gold) will pick a very good side to come down to Cape Town.
We know it’ll be very tough against the Sharks but we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“They are a lot like the Lions and Chiefs in that they’re very good at attacking your breakdown. So we’ve got a plan – we have to be more forceful in our cleanout and improve our execution at lineout time.”
Round four fixtures
Friday: Chiefs v Highlanders, 8.35am (Hamilton)
Brumbies v Force, 10.40am (Canberra)
Saturday: Blues v Lions, 8.35am (Auckland)
Reds v Waratahs, 10.40am (Brisbane)
Cheetahs v Bulls, 5.05pm (Bloemfontein)
Stormers v Sharks, 7.10pm (Cape Town) - Cape Argus