The Stormers’ 34-26 win over the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday was a victory for their ability to adapt and improve in a short period of time. Robbie Fleck’s men produced a performance of high intensity for 80 minutes that validated the coach’s decision to overhaul their training and preparation methods after the 2016 Super Rugby tournament. The turning point was losing the 2016 quarterfinal 60-21 to the Chiefs at Newlands. The home team were stunned by the ferocity and pace with which the Chiefs played the game. Fleck recognised that his team needed to improve its skills but it could not happen in isolation. The squad also had to improve its conditioning to be able to play at a high intensity for 80 minutes‚ which in turn would give the players confidence to use their skills. At the weekend SP Marais’ second-half try‚ off a Dillyn Leyds backhanded pass when he was seated on his backside‚ was a microcosm of how far the Stormers have developed in less than a year. The tempo of the m...
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