VIDEO: Stormers rely on X-Factor for wild-running Lions

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is banking on Sergeal Petersen to unlock the Lions' impressive defence at Newlands on Saturday.

The two teams could not have had more contrasting starts to the season.

The Stormers, with the most porous defence in the opening round, lost 3-40 to the Bulls in Pretoria.

The Lions, in the top three in terms of tackle-completion rate, beat the Jaguares (25-16) for the first time in Buenos Aires.

The Stormers did not score a try and were second from bottom in terms of defenders beaten.

Petersen, who will make his Stormers debut in the Super Rugby, injured his foot in the pre-season and didn't feature at Loftus Versfeld last week.

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"[With] Sergeal [Petersen it] was always [just] a matter of time before we brought him back into the mix," Fleck told a media briefing at Newlands.

"I am very excited about having him back," the coach added.

He said he hoped the 24-year-old flyer can bring the same magic that saw him win the Currie Cup player of the year award in 2018.

"I hope he brings a bit of what he did in the Currie Cup," Fleck said, adding: "He has [that] X-Factor.

"He brings something special to our backs.

"He sees space well and hopefully he can expose that on the weekend."

The Lions have named seasoned Springbok wing Ruan Combrinck as the direct opponent of Petersen.

Combrink replaced Aphiwe Dyantyi, the find of the 2018 season, on the left wing.

"It is an interesting selection," Fleck said, adding: "Ruan Combrinck helps their exits a bit.

"He has a strong kicking game. He brings something different, as he can kick with his left and right foot.

"There is some serious speed on that [Lions] bench.

"It will be interesting to see what they bring tactically.

"Sergeal if a quality player.

"Ruan will have to watch him, because he is a special player."

Fleck said the Stormers line-out problems last week, against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, is something of the past.

He put it down to a 'system failure', rather than blaming hooker Bongi Mbonambi. Fleck pointed out that in the second half, of the 3-40 meltdown against the Bulls.

By Jan de Koning

@king365ed

@rugby365com

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