With Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fuelling the Stormers attack, Warrick Gelant is ready to run circles around Benetton in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Stormers face the Italians for the time at Cape Town Stadium in round 16 of the Vodacom URC. The Stormers, currently eighth on the table, need a win to overtake Benetton, who sit three spots yet just one point ahead in fifth.
While the Capetonians claimed a bonus-point win against Connacht last week, John Dobson’s men conceded five tries, and Gelant admits that simply isn’t good enough.
“There’s no question about our defence, but letting in five tries is not acceptable. We’ve got to tighten up this weekend,” the Stormers fullback told the media at training on Wednesday.
Benetton boast a dangerous backline led by flyhalf Jacob Umaga and former Sharks and Cheetahs fullback Rhyno Smith, who was schooled at Paarl Boys’ High in the Cape.
They mauled the Lions at Ellis Park last week, and Gelant expects a refined performance from the visitors on Saturday.
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“They are a physical side with plenty of international players,” he said. “Jacob Umaga makes a big difference at flyhalf and Rhyno Smith, who is from here, we know his flair. They will ask questions in the wider channel, like Connacht.
“But their game is a bit more polished, and they bring a kicking game too. If I can say it like this, they will be a well-polished side coming here.”
With Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu offering dual playmaking options at inside centre and flyhalf, Gelant feels empowered to unlock more from his own game.
“They lifted the morale of the team,” he added. “It was not just good for me on the attack, but for the entire side. The calmness they bring, the maturity and experience. They lead by example, and it is great for the guys to have them back.
“We can now play other parts of our game and not be on the ball all the time. Someone else can take charge of the attack. The nice thing is, they see what I see on the attack and it’s much easier playing alongside them.”
“Even when the roles are reversed and I run with the ball as the first receiver. If I run off them, they know what I see and if they run off me, I know what they see,” Gelant said.
“It is nice to have guys like that. They spoil you and play entertaining rugby. It is also what we want to give our fans.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
