The Stormers are in arguably the most testing period of the season at the moment.
Having been virtually knocked out of the Champions Cup last Saturday with a 53-16 thrashing at the hands of Harlequins in London, they are hoping to pick up the pieces in the United Rugby Championship this weekend.
But it’s not a straight-forward quest in that competition either. They are languishing in 13th position on the log, having garnered just two wins out of six and 11 points.
Now they have a confident Lions side visiting Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (3.45pm start), with the Johannesburg outfit fifth on the URC standings with four wins out of six and 19 points.
In addition, Ivan van Rooyen’s team come off a thrilling 43-35 Challenge Cup triumph over Pau at Ellis Park last Saturday, and will feel that they can repeat their famous 37-19 win over the Stormers in Cape Town in 2021.
Assistant coach Dawie Snyman, though, provided a bit of perspective this week that it’s not all doom and gloom for John Dobson’s team.
“It’s still early days. You sometimes get carried away with looking at the log, and seeing that you are probably in a really bad position,” the attack mentor said.
“Looking back at the games, it was quite close. It’s obviously not exactly where we want to be, but sometimes the low road is maybe good for the team and for us to grow.
“We are not scared of it, and have been there before. Starting to play finals rugby early is maybe not a bad thing.”
In that regard, they got a welcome boost this week with the news that star playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will return from concussion, and is likely to pull the strings at flyhalf in the absence of the injured Manie Libbok.
Two talismanic figures in Deon Fourie and Frans Malherbe are also set to be back from lengthy injury layoffs, and Springbok flank Ben-Jason Dixon is virtually over his concussion as well.
The experience of those four Test players should provide the necessary direction and vigour that has been missing in the Stormers set-up this season.
The 38-year-old Fourie – who sustained a serious knee injury against La Rochelle in April – in particular, makes an enormous difference to the pack every time he is on the pitch. He is combative at the breakdowns, brings energy with his carrying on attack, and puts his body on the line in defence.
Even in last week’s heavy defeat to Harlequins, a largely second-string line-up had a strong opening 30 minutes and led 6-0 at one stage, only to capitulate and concede over 50 points.
If they can cut out unforced errors and avoid missing one-on-one tackles, they have enough firepower upfront and out wide to get past the Lions.
“Some tactical decisions we made, we probably could’ve done better. Once we lose momentum, how we can regain it – that’s one thing we couldn’t get right last weekend,” Snyman said.
“We will look at it behind the scenes, and definitely put the learnings into this game. We had two yellow cards and have a lineout in your own 22, and you want to create something from there... So, it’s lessons learnt.
“You can feel that there is quite a high level of focus. The boys understand what’s at stake. We want to get over the line and put in a good performance.
“So, starting from yesterday and today, there is a high level of focus, and the boys want to do well.
“It is pressure, and it’s part of the game. We are embracing it and excited to play.
“It’s (Cape Town Stadium) just a special place, a lot of energy there. The Lions have been doing well lately, and in last year’s URC, they came close to the top eight.
“We also have a few guys coming back from injury, so it will be a nice occasion.”