Fleck: Cheetahs are dangerous
The Stormers clash with the Cheetahs in Cape Town on Saturday is a yin versus yang approach with a great defence to be tested by an exciting attack.
The Stormers have the best defensive record in Super Rugby this season, conceding only nine tries in their nine matches so far, while the Cheetahs play with attacking flair that makes them dangerous on attack and an unpredictable opponent.
Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck is wary of how dangerous the Cheetahs can be with ball in hand.
"The Cheetahs made a decision about two seasons ago to play this expansive passing game and it works for them," Fleck told this website.
"They really do put opposition defences under pressure and that's the gameplan we expect from them. It's dangerous and difficult to defend, but it's also high risk rugby and it can put them under pressure at times.
"It's a clash of a really strong defensive side against a brilliant attacking team."
Fleck believes the Cheetahs might alter their style of play against the Stormers in an effort to catch the Cape Town side off guard.
"I think they'll be a little bit more cautious against us, and in the pre-season game we played they put in a good tactical kicking display," Fleck explained.
"We're prepared for the fact that they might play differently against us and not attack from quite so deep.
"When they get into the right areas there is no doubt they'll stretch us and look to move it around, so we've also prepared well for that."
While the Stormers will be pleased not to be up against Cheetahs' injured starlet Johan Goosen, his replacement Sias Ebersohn will also pose a handful with ball in hand.
"Sias has been great for them in the past and they played very well with him at the helm last year," Fleck was quick to point out.
"He brings in a left boot and uses it to good effect kicking out of hand, and he can put kicks in behind a team into any open space and put you under pressure."
The Stormers will keep to their tight structures that have served them well this season, with only one defeat so far, and will avoid getting sucked into an open expansive game that the Cheetahs are more accustomed to.
"We have a saying at the moment that 'we do what we do', and our gameplan is working at the moment and we'll stick to our strengths," Fleck said.
"On tour our attacking game stepped up a notch and we've taken a lot of heart from that and feel we want to push that a little more without drifting too far away from our strengths."
By Timmy Hancox