Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani expects a stern test for the DHL Stormers from the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday, as it would be “naive” to write off their rivals.
The Stormers can clinch the SA Shield if they win the north-south derby against the Bulls in Pretoria when the Vodacom URC resumes this week.
Jake White’s Bulls have yet to beat the Capetonians in the competition and go into the north-nouth derby on the back of a seven-game losing streak.
Speaking in a Stormers conference this week, Hlungwani acknowledged the rugby IP of White’s support staff while highlighting the improvements the Highvelders have made since their narrow defeat in Cape Town two months ago.
“They have a highly experienced coaching staff – Jake White has won the World Cup, Gary Gold has coached at the Springboks … Very experienced group of individuals, experienced team,” he told reporters. “It’s going to be tough, and we are not taking them lightly … and giving them all the respect they deserve.
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“We would be naive to think that we will get exactly the same Bulls team as before, so it will be a different challenge.”
The Stormers are sixth in the standings and lead the charge for the SA Shield on 17 points from their four local duels, and Hlungwani emphasised the strides that John Dobson’s charges continue to make this season.
“We want to play the best brand we can play, and that’s something that we are consistently looking to improve,” he added.
“In the adversity of the tour losses, we learnt some good lessons and have been able to grind things out when we have to.
“We need to continuously find that improvement. Even when we are winning, that same energy, hunger and desperation that we felt when we came back from the tour, we need to maintain that desperation – that’s extremely important to us.”
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
The post Stormers ‘hungry’ for derby challenge appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
