RUGBY NEWS - The DHL Stormers won’t be kidding themselves that their loose performance in beating the Toyota Cheetahs 40-34 will be good enough against New Zealand opposition, but their coach Robbie Fleck was happy with what his men got out of their trip to Bloemfontein.
The Stormers showed great attacking shape in the first half, and were full value for their 26-10 lead shortly before halftime, but then they let it slip in the second half and had to rely on a late try to replacement loose-forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe to win it.
Even then it was a scrape, as a last minute penalty that came with the red cards that were dished out to Stormers flank Rynhardt Elstadt and his opposite number Henco Venter gave the Cheetahs one last chance to attack.
Ironically, it was during the tight stage of the game in the second half that the Stormers defensive system stood up. There was some impressive line-speed from the Stormers in the fourth quarter, and the Cheetahs were given little room to manoeuvre as they searched for the winning points. Earlier they had given the Cheetahs too much space and looked vulnerable, with the four tries they conceded in the game being too many.
The two first half tries were scored through driving mauls, which should be one concern, but in the middle stages of the game the Cheetahs were able to break through the first line of defence too often and the Stormers looked a bit passive.
