The Stormers were annihilated 40-3 by the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday but coach Robbie Fleck insists his manne had an off day in their Super Rugby campaign opener.
The Newlanders scored just one penalty in the match as they struggled to get on the front foot, with their set-pieces going wrong.
Their defence also looked hapless as the Bulle ran in four tries.
Fleck, though, believes that the Stormers will get their game together this weekend when they host the Lions.
Speaking after the Loftus pak, the coach says: “It was a clinical performance from them and not so much from us.
ONLY SCORE: Stormer Marais. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
“We made too many mistakes and couldn’t get any possession so it certainly was an off day. It is not going to keep us down.
"We had an excellent pre-season, so we came into this game with a lot of confidence. Regardless of who was selected for this game, we certainly came up here with the intention to win.
"It is a setback. But we are going to have to pick ourselves up. There is some work to be done.
“It is an off day and lots of teams have lost the first game and gathered the pieces and performed well, so we have to take heart in that.”
With the Lions coming, he adds: “‘It is [a tough start], three derby matches in a row and two of them are away.
“I know our boys will be up for it. This loss hurts, but that is not a bad thing.”