‘Stormers have pack to take title’

What former Springbok coach NICK MALLETT had to say on SuperSport about Saturday's matches involving South African teams.

On the Stormers

'The Stormers have a pack of forwards to win this competition. They've got a very good tight five. Their front row is the best in the competition from a scrummaging point of view and they lean very heavily on it to win them penalties. Their lineout was improved and their loose forwards were fabulous. Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger and Siya Kolisi were very good today.

'The big question mark I've got about this Stormers side is do they have the backline from structured attack able to breakdown a New Zealand backline? The answer there is probably no, because the Stormers score a number of their tries from broken play, usually off opposition mistakes.

'They don't have the physicality in the backline and they don't have the good running lines or control from 10 to create their own opportunities. But they were certainly deserved winners today and they are also going to be deserved winners of the South African conference.'

On Cheslin Kolbe

'He's very, very elusive. He really is. And he's incredibly courageous because he runs into the big guys and he makes some good physical tackles for a little bloke. His time with the Blitzboks has been very good for his physicality. Every time he gets the ball he's dangerous.'

On Dillyn Leyds

'He's a slight player as well, but he's got very good feet. That first try was really well done, a real poacher's try and something perhaps the Stormers have been lacking since Bryan Habana moved on. He ran a wonderful angle for that second try where he beat four Rebels defenders.'

On Naka Drotské

'Two years ago the Cheetahs were the Lions of today – they were our favourite second team. They were playing great rugby and he was getting all the credit for that. You don't change as a person or a coach in two years. He's still trying, unfortunately there's a plethora of Springboks who are out injured at the moment and it really is time for him to move on.'

On the Lions

'It's the start of an era at the Lions. Johan Ackermann and Swys de Bruyn are building their reputations. The key will be for them to retain the consistency. It's next year, and the next year after, that's going to count for them.'

Five lessons from round 15 of Super Rugby

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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