Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer says the Stormers are determined to right some wrongs against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Ungerer is likely to wear the No 9 jersey after Stormers attack coach Dawie Snyman confirmed on Monday that Cobus Reinach is only expected back for the Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon on 4 April. Reinach underwent groin surgery following the Vodacom URC match against the Sharks in Durban.
Before that the Stormers face the Lions and Vodacom Bulls on the Highveld, and host the Dragons and Edinburgh.
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Ungerer says the Cape side is determined to bounce back after successive defeats before the break.
“It was good to give the body a rest after those two derbies against the Sharks. The boys came back keen, refreshed and excited to fix a couple of wrongs.
“It was a tough week, especially in the heat, but we knew we had to put in the work.”
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Despite dropping from first to third on the URC log, Ungerer insists there is no panic in the Stormers camp.
“If you asked us at the start of the season whether we’d take a position where we’d lost only two of our first nine or 10 games, we would have taken it,” he said. “There’s no feeling of pressure. It’s more excitement about getting another opportunity to test ourselves and fix what hasn’t been good enough.”
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On the Lions challenge at Ellis Park, Ungerer expects a full-blooded contest.
“It’s never easy going to Joburg. They play for 80 minutes and you can’t relax at any stage. We’ll need a full match performance,” he said. “They’ve matured as a side and they’re playing good rugby.”
He said the Stormers had addressed key areas.
“It’s about controlling the big moments,” Ungerer explained. “Earlier in the season we were calm in those moments. In the last two games we’ve maybe let teams in too easily, especially after scoring points.”
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Exit play and kick-off receipts will be crucial, he added.
“You have to treat the kick-off like a set-piece. We need to control the aerial battle, set our base well and execute good kicks to return pressure.
“At altitude, momentum is everything. That’s where the game will be won or lost.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
