Stormers must savour sweet success - Fleck

Siya Kolisi led the Stormers to a 37-24 victory over the Bulls in his first competitive match as captain. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Siya Kolisi led the Stormers to a 37-24 victory over the Bulls in his first competitive match as captain. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Feb 27, 2017

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CAPE TOWN - Stormers coach Robbie Fleck knows very well what lies ahead this season, so it makes sense that he told his team to “savour the moment” after their sweet 37-24 victory over the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday night.

The Stormers scored five tries to the Bulls’ four in their Super Rugby season-opener, and there were a number of positives worth savouring, especially in the first half.

But in the second half, the Bulls got into the game and scored all four of their tries after the break, and some of those can be put down to individual errors by the Stormers.

“It’s just the start and it’s a long competition. I told the guys after the game that we really need to savour

this moment. It was a good performance and we’re looking forward to the remainder of the campaign,” Fleck said.

“But we scored some great tries to keep the momentum going, so I’m happy with the first half.

“There were a few soft moments in the second half, but it’s a good start and there are a few positives that we can take away. But we’re not a finished product yet.”

The Stormers’ breakdowns were also a pleasing aspect for Fleck, who emphasised the importance of this area if they want to stand a chance against the New Zealand sides, who the Stormers will face this year.

“If you want to beat these New Zealand teams you have to be brutal at the breakdown. I feel that we’re getting better at it, but there’s lots to still work on,” Fleck added.

Another positive that Fleck took from the game was the performance

of his new leaders Siya Kolisi and

Eben Etzebeth.

And although Kolisi described his first match as captain as a ‘tough’ one, he was pleased with their start to 2017 season.

“It was a tough game, but it was a good start. We worked very hard during the pre-season and we wanted to do exactly what we did in the

pre-season. A lot of it came out, but there’s still things we need to do, and as a leader I have a lot I want to work on still,” Kolisi said.

However, the Stormers were also dealt a heavy blow in the form of an injury to Springbok centre Damian de Allende.

De Allende, who went off in the third quarter, might face a lengthy

lay-off period due to an ankle injury.

“Damian’s not good news, the initial assessment on him. I’m not going to say what it is yet, he still has to go for scans, but my understanding is that it’s not good news,” Fleck said.

Super Rugby debutant EW Viljoen softened that blow to some extent with a superb first performance with the Stormers and Fleck said that he would play a ‘big role’ with the Stormers

this season.

Viljoen had a top outing with some excellent decisions on defence, both in terms of tackles made and organising the defence, and he also created Cheslin Kolbe’s try with a gutsy grubber

five-metres from the try line.

And for Viljoen, that try-creating kick was one of his favourite debut moments.

The former junior star also said that he has put a lot of work into his defence, and added that he could learn a lot from Fleck.

“As a 13 that’s something I worked very hard on (defence) - to dominate defence and make good decisions. I want to get better at it and try and become the best in the world at it.

“(Fleck) is a very good coach. He makes me feel so much more relaxed and he was a 13 as well so I can take a lot from him and he can help me a lot in my career.”

The Star

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