The DHL Stormers must gear up for a “grind” when they face Connacht in the Vodacom URC semi-finals on Saturday, warned former Bok and Stormers hooker Schalk Brits.
Brits, who played nearly a decade at Saracens after leaving Western Province, said that while the Irish tourists aren’t considered one of the biggest Irish sides, are dangerous because of their perpetual underdog status.
Forty percent rainfall is also predicted for Cape Town this weekend, which could potentially ground high flyers like Damian Willemse and Leolin Zas on a Cape Town Stadium pitch which assistant coach Dawie Snyman has admitted was on its “last legs”.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Sport24, Brits applauded the Stormers’ 33-21 win over the Vodacom Bulls in the quarter-final, but believes that they must be prepared for a physical battle because Connacht won’t go down without a fight.
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“They are physically up for it and they are an incredibly hard-working side. People look at their defence, but if you see the things they do off the ball, they are well coached,” he said.
“Expect a grind. If the game opens up earlier, fantastic, but if it doesn’t, then it’s gonna be a grind for a long time. They are physically up for it.
“They’re the Griquas of Irish rugby. They practice hard, and the worse the weather is, the more they love it.”
Brits noted the extra incentive for Connacht – the prospect of an all-Ireland final if they beat the Stormers. “I think they’ll lick their lips for a chance to play either Leinster or Munster,” the World Cup winner added.
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