Stefan Ungerer, the likely starter in the No. 9 jersey for the Stormers, has declared his team's intent to make amends in their upcoming clash against the Lions at Ellis Park. With Cobus Reinach sidelined until April following groin surgery, Ungerer is stepping up to steer the ship through challenging waters, including matches against the Lions and Vodacom Bulls, not to mention hosting duties against the Dragons and Edinburgh.
The Stormers, who've slipped from pole position down to third in the URC standings, are shaking off consecutive defeats and a rigorous training schedule. "The boys came back keen, refreshed, and excited to fix a couple of wrongs," Ungerer shared, emphasizing the team's resilient spirit despite recent setbacks. "It was good to give the body a rest after those two derbies against the Sharks."
"There's no feeling of pressure. It’s more excitement about getting another opportunity to test ourselves and fix what hasn’t been good enough,"
Ungerer said, reflecting a buoyant mood in the camp.
The forthcoming game at Ellis Park is expected to be a grinder. Ungerer predicts a tough matchup, noting, "It’s never easy going to Joburg. They play for 80 minutes and you can’t relax at any stage. We’ll need a full match performance." He acknowledged the Lions' growth, adding, "They’ve matured as a side and they’re playing good rugby."
The scrumhalf pinpointed key tactical elements necessary for conquering the altitude and the opponent. "It’s about controlling the big moments," he outlined. The Stormers have scrutinized their recent performances, especially their handling of game-shifting instances which seemed to falter in the last two outings.
"Earlier in the season we were calm in those moments. In the last two games we’ve maybe let teams in too easily, especially after scoring points,"
Ungerer admitted.
Success on Saturday hinges on solid exit plays and kick-off receipts. "You have to treat the kick-off like a set-piece. We need to control the aerial battle, set our base well, and execute good kicks to return pressure," he explained, stressing the importance of momentum at altitude—a crucial factor that could determine the outcome of the game.
The Stormers' renewed vigor is further boosted by the return of key forwards, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Highveld showdown.
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Stefan Ungerer, the likely starter in the No. 9 jersey for the Stormers, has declared his team's intent to make amends in their upcoming clash against the Lions at Ellis Park. With Cobus Reinach sidelined until April following groin surgery, Ungerer is stepping up to steer the ship through challenging waters, including matches against the Lions and Vodacom Bulls, not to mention hosting duties against the Dragons and Edinburgh.
The Stormers, who've slipped from pole position down to third in the URC standings, are shaking off consecutive defeats and a rigorous training schedule. "The boys came back keen, refreshed, and excited to fix a couple of wrongs," Ungerer shared, emphasizing the team's resilient spirit despite recent setbacks. "It was good to give the body a rest after those two derbies against the Sharks."
"There's no feeling of pressure. It’s more excitement about getting another opportunity to test ourselves and fix what hasn’t been good enough,"
Ungerer said, reflecting a buoyant mood in the camp.The forthcoming game at Ellis Park is expected to be a grinder. Ungerer predicts a tough matchup, noting, "It’s never easy going to Joburg. They play for 80 minutes and you can’t relax at any stage. We’ll need a full match performance." He acknowledged the Lions' growth, adding, "They’ve matured as a side and they’re playing good rugby."
The scrumhalf pinpointed key tactical elements necessary for conquering the altitude and the opponent. "It’s about controlling the big moments," he outlined. The Stormers have scrutinized their recent performances, especially their handling of game-shifting instances which seemed to falter in the last two outings.
"Earlier in the season we were calm in those moments. In the last two games we’ve maybe let teams in too easily, especially after scoring points,"
Ungerer admitted.Success on Saturday hinges on solid exit plays and kick-off receipts. "You have to treat the kick-off like a set-piece. We need to control the aerial battle, set our base well, and execute good kicks to return pressure," he explained, stressing the importance of momentum at altitude—a crucial factor that could determine the outcome of the game.
The Stormers' renewed vigor is further boosted by the return of key forwards, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Highveld showdown.