UNBEATEN STORMERS WARY OF THE SHARKS’ BIG GUNS

THE Stormers will have their sights set on maintaining their unbeaten run at home this season when they host the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium at 7.30pm on Saturday.

However, the table-topping hosts will be careful not to underestimate the Sharks, who may be way down in 14th place on the standings, but will enter the match with confidence following their gevaarlike 50-12 victory against Clermont last week.

With the Stormers remaining the only unbeaten team in the competition and boasting 231 points to the Sharks’ 156, they also hold the bragging rights as the best defensive span in the tournament with only 95 points conceded to their coastal counterparts’ 215.

As was the case against the Bulls, the Stormers are bracing themselves for a physical onslaught from the Sharks, with defence coach Norman Laker emphasising that the challenge will test their structure and resilience, especially on defence.

Laker wysed: “We know the quality rugby players Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius are. Andre and Ethan play for the Springboks and Jurenzo is probably a great prospect for the future. So, it will be a good contest for our boys.”

The Stormers’ midfield defence will be firmly under the microscope, but the possible revival of the Damian Willemse-Ruhan Nel centre partnership could provide a timely solution.

Over the last two weekends in the Champions Cup, the Stormers have experimented with combinations in the centres and at flyhalf against Harlequins and Leicester Tigers, and sukkeled.

The potential reunion of Willemse and Nel could bring much-needed stability, but Laker cautioned that the duo, along with several other returning players, still need to pass fitness assessments before being cleared for selection.

If they do return, they are expected to significantly bolster the span, alongside regular captain Salmaan Moerat, fullback Warrick Gelant and lock Adre Smith.