The Stormers will bank on their strong overseas form from earlier this season ahead of a defining United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster in Belfast on Friday evening.
With their place at the top of the URC table on the line, the Cape side knows only a victory at the Affidea Stadium (8.45pm kick-off) will be enough to keep them in the No 1 spot, with the Glasgow Warriors (2nd) breathing down their necks. Their clash against Cardiff kicks off at the same time.
The last time the Stormers played in Belfast, they came close to securing a first-ever away win over Ulster, eventually going down 38-34 after a fast start. This time around, they will be determined to finally break their duck.
Captain Deon Fourie believes their performances in Europe this season have put them in good stead as they prepare to face a high-flying home side eager to cement their place in the URC Top 8.
“We were good on the road this year,” he said.
“So, we’ve learned (from last season) how to play up here and be different. And yeah, I think we learned from that match here. I think it was still a questionable red card on Neethling (Fouché, for head contact in a tackle) and that probably made it difficult at that stage.
“However, we looked at the first half and saw what we did well. We also know what we did wrong, but we definitely evolved a lot from last season until now.”
For the Stormers, it will be all about trusting what they have been doing well and shutting down Ulster’s ball carriers when the sides meet.
Both teams will be desperate for victory, and the side that controls the set-pieces and territory, while maintaining discipline, will likely come out on top.
