The Cape of new hope

The Stormers may have finished the 2009 Super 14 in a below par 10th place, but there is renewed hope between the Cape based franchise’s proud fans. Massive improvements have been made in the Stormers forward play, especially between the tight five.

Once a massive weakness within the Stormers squad, the tight five has made a remarkable improvement over the last 12 months. Most notably when they dominated a number of opposition teams upfront during the recent Currie Cup competition.

This new found improvement in the tight play seems to have had a positive effect within the whole team. No longer will the opposition be able to refer to the Stormers as “softies’ like in years gone by. The more the forwards are keen to get stuck in, and they do look keen, the more the exciting Stormers backline an get front-foot ball to do their thing.

Schalk Burger has been handed the reigns for this season. Although he has captained the Stormers before, this will be the first time he is the designated leader of the team from the get go. It will be interesting to see if this affects his game at all.

The Stormers have never been strangers to high profile players. For the past few years these players have been able to rest on their laurels whilst walking into the national squad. 2010 is a different story though, with players like Ricky Januarie out of favour, Schalk Burger having his Springbok jumper furiously contested by Heinrich Brussow and Conrad Jantjies needing to make his way back after breaking his leg in last year’s competition, just to name a few.

Players to watch:

• A number of Stormers players were unlucky not to be included in the Springbok end of year tour. Francois Louw and Joe Pietersen were perhaps the unluckiest. Both will be looking to build on their 2009 performances.
• The whole Stormers tight five, lead upfront by Tiaan Liebenberg, another player who missed out on touring.
• New recruits Brian Habana and Jaque Fourie. Need I say more?
• Exciting young prospect Juan de Jongh had an outstanding Currie Cup. He must be looking forward to playing inside of Springbok stalwart, Jaque Fourie.
• Former Springbok u20, Lionel Cronje is another exciting new signing. Look out for him firmly contending the #10 jumper.
• The Stormers have great depth on the bench this year, where players like Deon Fouri, the fastest Stormers forward ever over 40m, are waiting to get their chance.

This is what they are capable of: [lindseyrayner]

Possible concerns:

• Sireli Nacqelevuki. Nothing more needs saying.
• The Stormers only managed to gain one 4-try bonus point all season in 2009.
• Their familiar habit of not pitching up for the second half

BSR’s prediction for the Stormers’ best possible finish: definite playoff contenders