‘We Are Not Resting On Our Laurels’ – Fouche

Despite the disappointment of defeat against Cardiff, the Stormers have taken encouragement from the dominance of their scrum, particularly on the unfamiliar 4G surface in Wales.

As the Cape side prepares for a high-stakes URC quarter-final at DHL Stadium, prop Neethling Fouche believes the set-piece remains one of the strongest pillars of the Stormers’ game. He also paid tribute to scrum coach Brok Harris for the culture and standards he has helped build within the squad.

Fouche reserved special praise for Harris and the influence he continues to have on the forward pack.

“It’s one of our foundations as a team,” said Fouche.

“Dobbo (John Dobson) expects a lot from us in that department, and we push one another constantly. A lot of credit must go to Broky for the way he gets the players to buy in. He’s a special person, and you can see that everyone wants to do well for him.”

Despite the scrum success in Cardiff, Fouche stressed there would be no complacency from the Stormers forwards heading into the playoff clash.

“We know Cardiff will come back stronger, and we need to improve our own performance,” he added.

The Stormers are fully aware of the challenge awaiting them against a Cardiff side that proved just two weeks ago it has the ability to punish defensive lapses and disrupt momentum at crucial stages.

Fouche echoed director of rugby John Dobson’s earlier warning that the Welsh outfit remains a dangerous and highly organised side.

“Cardiff are a very good rugby team. They finished sixth for a reason,” said Fouche.

“We are preparing for a team that beat us two weeks ago. They were better than us and exposed us defensively. We are not resting on our laurels. We have plans in place, and now we need to execute them.”

One of the biggest problem areas for the Stormers in that encounter was the breakdown battle, where Cardiff openside flank Dan Thomas played a decisive role in slowing possession and disrupting attacking flow.

Fouche admitted the Stormers were second best in that area and said the pack has spent considerable time reviewing their work around the contact zone.

“He got the better of us,” Fouche admitted in reference to Thomas.

“We’ve looked at it closely, and when players enter a breakdown, the inside and outside cleaners each have specific roles. You have to execute those roles properly.”

The experienced prop also acknowledged Cardiff’s intelligence at the breakdown, particularly their decision-making around when to contest possession.

“They were very street smart about when to compete and when not to. We have to be ready for that because there will definitely be a breakdown battle.”

With knockout rugby returning to Cape Town and a packed DHL Stadium expected to create a hostile atmosphere, the Stormers know they will need a more clinical and physically dominant display if they are to keep their URC title hopes alive against a Cardiff side that has already shown it can expose weaknesses.