Cape Town - Six wins in a row and facing a weakened Leinster team could end up in the Stormers relaxing just a bit and expecting an easy victory at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (6.15pm kickoff).
But for captain Steven Kitshoff and coach John Dobson, there is no danger of that happening.
In fact, the Cape Town-based team are almost playing with a bigger purpose in mind following all the off-field boardroom drama over the last few years.
After yet another 32-7 bonus-point win last week over Glasgow Warriors last week – their fourth in the six-match period, the Stormers have no intention of relenting against a Leinster squad shorn of most of their big-name Irish Test players, including Johnny Sexton, Tadgh Furlong and Josh van der Flier.
Dobson was able to actually strengthen his team yesterday as he recalled Warrick Gelant at fullback, while Deon Fourie is back from a minor leg injury.
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The other change sees young No 2 JJ Kotze come in for the injured Scarra Ntubeni, who faces a lengthy period on the sidelines, with Cheetahs signing Wilmar Arnoldi providing hooker cover.
“From where we were a year ago to the way the guys are preparing … mentally stronger. Just knowing what it takes to perform well. I think that is the absolute key area where the team has grown,” Kitshoff said from Cape Town Stadium yesterday.
“A number one versus number two clash – this game means a lot, and I think complacency at this sharp-end of the competition is a killer.
“I firmly believe this team’s head is screwed on right, and we’ve got the bigger picture in mind.
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“We understand that we’ve got two more league games before the playoffs, so we’ve just got to sharpen up as much as we can. Put in as much work as possible so that we can keep on performing, as we did in the last, say, seven weeks.”
Dobson is adamant that his players won’t take their foot off the pedal against table-toppers Leinster. “I think complacency is not something that has even crossed my mind. From where we were a year ago as a union and that sort of stuff, it’s so important for us,” Dobson said.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but we’ve got a chance of coming in the top two of the United Rugby Championship and hosting a semi-final in Cape Town – which would mean the world to the team and the impact on rugby in the region.
“We’re desperate as ever. We’re also acutely aware that a young Leinster team were a tough call and a held-up away from beating a nine-Springbok Sharks team in Durban.
“We fully know the dangers of this game and the importance to them and us. From an occasion point of view, it’s a pity that Johnny Sexton is not here, Josh van der Flier, Tadgh Furlong. But in terms of the level of rugby, it’s an on-merit one versus two clash, and with a lot to play for.”
The Stormers boss was thrilled to have Gelant back in the line-up, after he played off the bench against Glasgow in his comeback from a thumb injury, which also sees Damian Willemse return to inside centre. Last week’s No 12, Rikus Pretorius, is out with concussion.
“It’s great to have him back. He is so aligned and we enjoy coaching him, playing with him and he has great input. It’s big for us, and also with the way Damian was playing at 12 – especially with Rikus and Dan (du Plessis, concussion) out… It’s actually pretty good for us.
“I wouldn’t like to play against Warrick, or coach against him, because it’s hard to work out what’s going on – and it’s hard enough to coach him!”
Stormers Team
15 Warrick Gelant 14 Seabelo Senatla 13 Ruhan Nel 12 Damian Willemse 11 Leolin Zas 10 Manie Libbok 9 Herschel Jantjies 8 Evan Roos 7 Hacjivah Dayimani 6 Deon Fourie 5 Marvin Orie 4 Adre Smith 3 Frans Malherbe 2 JJ Kotze 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Bench: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi 17 Brok Harris 18 Neethling Fouché 19 Salmaan Moerat 20 Junior Pokomela 21 Ben-Jason Dixon 22 Paul de Wet 23 Juan de Jongh.
@AshfakMohamed