Stormers are 'on the right track'
Despite criticism of their style of play the Stormers are happy to back the plan that has got them to the top of the standings and insist that they are developing their attacking game.
Although they are currently in top position the Stormers face a testing fortnight ahead of the June Test window with consecutive away clashes against South African conference rivals the Sharks and the Bulls which should have a massive influence on the success of their campaign.
While nobody can fault the Cape side for consistency, there have been growing concerns at their inability to score tries and put teams to the sword, with many of their wins being tight, grinding affairs reliant on their unmatched defensive system and superior discipline.
Despite frustration in some quarters about this approach and the pattern of building up a lead in the first half before trying to hold on rather than go for the kill after half-time coach Allister Coetzee is adamant that the entire squad is united in their aims as everyone has bought into the approach completely.
He explained: "There is a common, mutual feeling that we are on the right track, so we are backing our plan. If you start changing your plan after 10 wins from 11 games then there must be something wrong with you.
"The difference is to have the guts to stick to your plan and perservere with it."
Captain Jean de Villiers said that while the the players know they can always improve there is plenty of confidence in the gameplan and a belief that their attacking game is on an upward curve.
He said: "We all believe that we are on the right track as players and management and we are working towards that 100 percent game where we get everything right.
"If we had a split within the team where some okes believed that we need to do something different then I would have said that we are in a difficult situation.
"But that is not the case and everyone is supporting it, which makes it better as a coach and a captain as everyone is working towards the same goal.
"It [attack] is improving, I can feel it on the field, you can feel it at training and you can see it in the reviews. We are actually creating opportunities so that is pleasing," added the Stormers skipper.
Since coming back from tour the Stormers have had to contend with slippery conditions at Newlands and a territory-based approach from their opponents which they feel has limited their scope to attack.
Things may be markedly different at what is likely to be a drier Kings Park this weekend against a Sharks team that will carry the ball a lot more than the Cheetahs and the Waratahs did against them, and Coetzee is aware that there may be more opportunities for his speedy back three on the counter-attack.
"I am sure they [Sharks] are looking forward to holding on to the ball, they have got great ball-carriers so they will be looking to use them, that is the way they play.
"There is nothing that is really going to change but if there are opportunities out there then we have got to get excited about it and switch on," he said.
Coetzee explained that it would be foolish to throw what has worked for them out of the window in such an important game and start running the ball at the Sharks from deep, as they are aware of the Durban side's ability to turn defence into attack in an instant.
"They [Sharks] have got a solid defence and some big tacklers so they will present a quality defensive performance and it is really going to be tough but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.
"They are one of the sides with the most forced turnovers at the breakdown, and it is not just their openside, every player can basically contest on the ground," said Coetzee.
The Stormers coach knows that the Sharks will be hungry to strike a big blow and is expecting the huge physical onslaught which has characterised their meetings in recent times.
"They have got a sniff of finishing on top of this conference and there is not a big gap between us, the Bulls and the Sharks so they will come with everything.
"This is a top quality pack, it is a Springbok front three, Springbok loose forwards and quality coming off the bench so we are under no illusions, it is a big ask," he added.
By Michael de Vries