The Stormers backline are desperate to show that they have the moves to get them back to winning ways.
After being mauled by the Bulls 40-3 at Loftus last weekend, Robbie Fleck’s manne have been hard at work to try and get their mojo back.
One man who showed up the Stormers’ inability to exploit spaces was Super Rugby debutant Rosko Specman, who ran in two brilliant tries.
The former Blitzbok star stepped his way through the Cape defence for his first and then burst through a half gap onto a Warrick Gelant pass.
And backline coach Dawie Snyman believes his attacking aces have the X-factor to bounce back against the Lions at Newlands on Saturday (5.15 pm).
WARNING: Dawie Snyman. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX.
Snyman says: Ja. A guy like Rosko, if you give him space, he can do that.
“But we have players who have that ability, like Dillyn Leyds. Those guys need space.
“Sevens guys play under those circumstances where they have a bit more space. And if you give them half a gap, they are very, very dangerous.”
PLAYING BALL: Damian Willemse brings flair to the attack. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX.
Leyds will hope he and the likes of flyhalf Damian Willemse and Sergeal Petersen, who is set to make his Stormers Super Rugby debut this weekend, can get the better of the Lions’ attack.
The fullback says: “The Lions have been the top team for the last couple of years, and to my mind they are still the No. 1 team in the country, even though they have lost a couple of big names since last year.
DEBUT: Sergeal Petersen. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
“They still have class players. They have a backline that is phenomenal. Having Ruan Combrinck on the bench for the game in Argentina shows how much depth they have, and we all know what Elton [Jantjies] can do.
“We still retain the belief, we still believe we have the players in the right positions to go far in this competition.
“And although our backs are to the wall, there is no better opportunity to make a big statement than against the Lions.”