Tuesday was doughnut day for the Stormers at the High Performance Centre in Bellville after they had kept a clean sheet against Griquas last weekend.
Not conceding a try for the first time in a match in this year’s Super Rugby Unlocked competition, the Stormers ran out 39-6 victors in the end – dotting down six times without reply against their hosts.
Coming up with ways to stop opposing teams from crossing their tryline is the job of defence coach Norman Laker, who has come up with a lekker incentive for his players to execute the plan to perfection.
It was all smiles in the Stormers camp yesterday as they gear up to face the Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday – a far cry from the sombre mood that engulfed them last Monday after losing to the Bulls in Pretoria by the same scoreline.
Laker says of his sweet treats: “I have an agreement with the team that if we don’t concede any tries, I will buy them doughnuts.
“We were lucky enough this past weekend and hopefully we can build on it.”
He adds: “The first few games [of the competition] were frustrating because we didn’t hit our straps, but to keep
Griquas scoreless in Kimberley gives us confidence heading into the clash against the Cheetahs at Newlands.
It is our first home game in a while. We were on the road for the past three weeks.”
Of possible changes to the system as they went from conceding five to the Bulls at Loftus and nothing to Griquas, Laker adds: “Nothing’s changed.
"The only thing is playing against the Bulls and previous games, [there were] only two players that played against the Sharks [in the match before lockdown started].
“We addressed certain aspects of defence and made one or two tweaks.”