Why the Stormers’ attack is failing to fire despite forward dominance

The Stormers may have climbed to second on the United Rugby Championship log following a bonus-point win over the Dragons, but as they prepare to host a star-studded Edinburgh side this weekend, the focus in the camp has shifted firmly towards clinical execution.

Despite the 34-13 victory at DHL Stadium last Sunday, the performance, especially on attack, can best be described as scrappy. The Stormers created a wealth of opportunities but often failed to provide the finishing touch, a trend that has bit them on a few occasions this season, including in derby defeats against the Sharks and Lions.

The Stormers have some wonderful attacking players, with the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mbgomezulu and Damian Willemse able to create moments of magic to convert their forward dominance into points.

However, more often than not, their attack breaks down because of a few crucial things that attacking coach Dawie Snyman highlighted during a media briefing on Tuesday.

“We created a number of opportunities, even when we played the Bulls here,” Snyman noted when assessing the team's conversion rate.

“[The struggle to convert] is a variety of things … our option-taking, skill execution that we want to focus on. It’s maybe taking the wrong option, or a pass that’s not going to hand, small things like that.

“But the thing that we are excited about is that we do create those opportunities. It’s better than scratching your head and wondering what you have to do to create those opportunities. We want to be really sharp when it comes to these big games coming up.”

The Stormers have sometimes also been guilty of overplaying in the red zone, opting for that hero pass when patience and a more direct approach might have yielded better results.

Snyman insists this is a collaborative learning process, and not solely the responsibility of the team’s playmakers.

“It’s a bit of a balance. We give the players the freedom and the trust in those scenarios,” Snyman explained.

“On a Tuesday or a Monday, we can go look back at some of those scenarios and learn from them. It’s something that’s just not on the players, it’s on the coaches. It’s about working together to try and get that right and getting everyone on the same page.”

That cohesion will be vital against an Edinburgh side bolstered by returning internationals who recently impressed in the Six Nations.

The Scots, who went down 54-17 to the Lions last weekend, will be able to call on prop Pierre Schoeman, lock Grant Gilchrist and outside back Darcy Graham to the match.

“They have very good players. Guys like Darcy Graham and Pierre Schoeman put France to the sword a few weeks ago,” Snyman warned.

“They will bring in energy and leadership into the team. Against a team like Edinburgh, if you don’t finish those opportunities, or if you don’t show up, they are a team that can put you under pressure. They understand that Test match mentality as well and it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”

The Stormers will have to take on Edinburgh without wing Seabelo Senatla, who is set for a stint on the sidelines for the next couple of weeks.

“He had a calf injury, it may be a grade two or something. He may be out for a couple of weeks. Otherwise, the players who played on Sunday are all good,” Snyman confirmed.