Stormers ‘under no illusions’ about Cardiff threat in URC knockout, says captain Ruhan Nel

Stormers captain Ruhan Nel has warned his side against complacency ahead of Saturday afternoon’s United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final against Cardiff in Cape Town.

Having faced each other just a couple of weeks ago in the league phase, the two sides meet again at DHL Stadium (3.30pm kick-off) in a high-stakes knockout clash, and the home side knows it faces a significant challenge to overturn the previous result.

According to Nel, the Stormers are under no illusions about what awaits them in front of their home supporters.

“It’s not an unknown team that you’re playing against; they literally beat us two weeks ago,” he said.

“So, if there’s any sort of comfort or relaxation among us, thinking that because they’re coming to our turf it’s a given that we’ll win, that’s completely the wrong mentality. That is also something that has been addressed.

“They beat us fair and square, and not because of the (4G) pitch. We were outplayed and we are fully aware of the dangers Cardiff bring. We are under no illusions that it will be a tough game.”

Director of rugby John Dobson believes the inclusion of utility forward Ruan Ackermann on the six-two replacement bench will provide valuable stopping power in the final stages of the contest.

He also described the experienced Ackermann, who last played in January before suffering a neck injury, as someone who knows the “dark arts”.

“Ruan is a physical beast; he has stopping power, carrying power and knows the dark arts of maul defence and aggressive mauling. It’s that sort of physical presence and power in the last 20 minutes of the game that I think will be significant.

“I think that physique is really archetypal of a South African forward.”