Tighthead pro Neethling Fouche will be hoping a strong scrum performance can give DHL Stormers the upper hand in their quarter-final clash with Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.
The Stormers, who are on a four-game winning streak, are in Glasgow to face the Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium in the first round of the Vodacom URC play-offs, with a hard-fought win over the Emirates Lions in the Cape securing fifth place in the overall standings. Town Stadium.
Fouche was at the heart of a Stormers scrum that resulted in the most penalties awarded in the competition this season, underscoring the importance of the pack giving their all on the tricky artificial turf.
“The scrum has run well for us this season, which is something we are proud of and we will need it again on Saturday to play on a 4G pitch that offers a different feel,” he said. thestormers.com.
“Playoffs often come down to small margins. Glasgow also has a solid scrum, so we need to take the lead from the first scrum to the last scrum. “We will have to do our best to remain strong and connected as a group.”
Chances are likely to be few and far between in a must-win play-off game and Fouche emphasized the value of discipline in denying Glasgow a free shot.
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“One of the things we’ve really improved on in the last few weeks, especially on the Tour, is discipline,” Fouche said. “We tended to give up on silly punishments that put pressure on us. So it’s important to keep it simple and not give teams a small penalty that could get them into 22. We have to try to get teams into the 22, which activates our defense.”
The Stormers have suffered defeat in their last two visits to Glasgow, but the narrow margins of those losses give Fouche hope against a high-quality Warriors outfit.
“Scotstoun is not an easy place to play. We played against Glasgow twice there and lost twice. Both games were closely contested. What we take away from it is that we are mixed. “It’s like I said let’s put everything together,” he said.
“When you play abroad you have to be more cool-headed than when you play at home where you have more opportunities. Overseas there are so many opportunities to attack from the 22 that you have to take the points.
“Our problem this season is that we haven’t capitalized on our opportunities. But things got better in the last two games. I hope this is something that will get us into the playoffs.
“Glasgow has a good side. They competed for a top-two finish for most of the season. They were very well coached by Franco Smith. It won’t be easy. They won’t give us anything.
“We have to go and work to earn money. I hope it’s a cracking game. Glasgow offers a very broad brand of rugby that is easy on the eyes. “They are also a very suitable team that makes you work hard.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
