Stormers defence coach Norman Laker says they are enjoying their northern hemisphere rugby experience, despite losing their first United Rugby Championship match to Benetton last weekend.
Going down 22-18 to the Italian team, the Stormers next face a monstrous task in travelling to Ireland where they’ll face Munster, who beat the Sharks 42-17.
Comparing the new tournament to Super Rugby, which South Africa left to play in Europe, Laker says: “It’s a different challenge compared to Super Rugby.
“When you go to New Zealand, you know you play five New Zealand franchises and you know what you’re gonna get...
“Then you go to Australia, the two countries almost play a similar style, so you can more or less prep for similar styles.
“Last weekend we played Benetton, who is a physical team, this week we have Munster with their world class players, and then it’s [Scotland’s] Edinburgh and [Wales’] Newport Gwent Dragons.
“Every single week is a different challenge… it’s quite challenging coaching-wise.”
dudley.carstens@inl.co.za