STORMERS CAN'T WAIT TO TACKLE LIONS INNIE KAAP

UNBEATEN in both the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Champions Cup this season, the Stormers return to Cape Town knowing they now carry a groot target on their backs.

That reality adds extra spice to Saturday’s first local URC derby of their campaign against the Lions at Cape Town Stadium, a fixture that could also mark a clear shift in mindset for the Kapenaars.

After meeting the demands of a tricky European tour where the forwards’ battle and control in the backline were the order of the day, the Stormers are ready to lean back into their natural attacking instincts in front of their home supporters.

In Europe, results mattered more than style. The Stormers tightened their game, kicked smartly, defended with discipline and trusted their systems to get them through difficult away fixtures in the URC and Champions Cup. It worked as they racked up wins.

They came home unbeaten, battle-hardened and confident. But now, with Kaapse mense back in full voice over December and January, the message from the team is clear: it’s time to make the people smile again with their rugby.

According to backline coach Dawie Snyman, there will be a special atmosphere at their home stadium.

Snyman wysed: “SA derbies always have an edge to them.

“Our game has been conditions-driven, and we had to go with a different approach, ensuring our set piece, kicking game and defence fired.

“Over the weekend, we felt the speed of the game was different at home. So now it is time to see if we can develop that part of our game, but keep the basic stuff in place to not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

While they started unbeaten, Snyman doesn’t believe they are close to a finished project or peaking too early in the season.

He added: “We are a team that wants to grow and improve in all areas of our game. That will always be our approach.

“We won’t rest on our laurels and think we are okay. Every session and meeting we do is to get better. We will keep the focus.”

Springbok utility back Damian Willemse is still nursing a hamstring injury and is unavailable for Saturday’s match.