Stormers eyeing redemption shot following ‘worst performance’ against Ospreys

The Stormers will be out to redeem themselves when they host table-topping Leinster in their highly anticipated United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter in Cape Town on Saturday.

After suffering a shock 27-21 home defeat to the Ospreys last weekend, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson apologised profusely for the result and described it as their it as their “worst performance” since the inception of the URC in 2022.

Trying to improve?attitude and intensity

Stormers second-row Ruben van Heerden revealed that they have focused on improving their attitude and intensity as they look to rebound against the highly rated opponents.

Facing a side like Leinster, who will also be keen to bounce back after they suffered a 44-12 loss to the Lions, will be a tough assignment, but Van Heerden is embracing the challenge.

“It’s absolutely crucial that we bounce back as a team, and as a forward pack this week,” he told the Stormers’ official website. “We have certain standards that we’ve set for ourselves and last week we slipped up. It sounds cliché but the only way to get over losing is by winning.

“I think the measure of a man is not what he does when he is winning but rather what he does when his back is against the wall, and our backs are against the wall and we have to fight now. And what an opportunity we have against Leinster this weekend.

“My advice to the guys is to not try and do anything fancy but play the rugby that the DHL Stormers are known for, and do the things that we do well, stay in the system and execute. We have to play to our strengths and if we do that with a bit of attitude and intensity, things will go well for us.”

While they expect a massive onslaught from Leinster, Van Heerden said the Stormers have some tricks up their sleeve for what promises to be an exciting encounter.

“Leinster will be hurting after their loss against the Emirates Lions. They are going to want to rectify things that they got wrong, but so will we. We want to make things right,” said the 26-year-old.

Springbok hopeful turns to line-out guru Victor Matfield ahead of Irish Tests

“It builds up to quite a dogfight, and the best way to gain an edge on them because they’re such a quality outfit is to not give them any breathing space.

“From the start we’re going to have to be over them, whether that’s in the set-pieces, defence or attack, and that comes down to the team that executes the best on the day.

“It’s going to come down to small margins and the team that wants it more, and it’s definitely going to be a titanic match and a very important game for our season. We’re looking forward to it and embracing the challenge.”

Van Heerden has been one of the Stormers’ star performers this season and has thrived since he received the added responsibility of calling his team’s lineouts during their 2023/24 campaign.

Fine form rewarded

His impressive form at the coalface of their forward effort has been rewarded with a call-up to the Springboks‘ first alignment camp last month.

“Being at the alignment camp was great and I came out of it more motivated than ever,” added Van Heerden. “It was great for me seeing what the environment is like and learning what they’re looking for as a player.

“My progression as a five lock has been good and again, I’d like to credit [forwards coach] Rito Hlungwani so much in regards to that. He is really my mentor in the lineouts and has been helping me a lot.

“So my focus is just to keep building and getting better and learning as much as I can, you can never stop learning.”

READ MORE: John Dobson apologises for Stormers’ ‘worst performance’ in loss to Ospreys