Ungerer Insists No Pressure, Just Excitement To Restore Pride

DHL Stormers scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer stressed that although much is at stake in this weekend’s clash against the Lions, the players are not feeling any added pressure. Instead, they’re choosing to focus on crucial elements of their game that, if executed correctly, will result in victory.  

Travelling to the Highveld in their first game after their three-week break, following successive defeats, home and away, to the Sharks, the ever-present Ungerer mentioned that the group was keen to test themselves in the sweltering altitude. 

“There isn’t a feeling of pressure among the group,” Ungerer said.

“If you asked us at the start of the season if we would like to be in a position where we are, we would have taken that,” he added. 

“In previous seasons, we might have started slower, and the pressure would have built towards the end of the season, where we had must-win games, so there definitely was no pressure, just excitement to fix some of the things we have been working on, and to test ourselves at altitude.”

In the same fixture last season, the Lions ran out 30-23 victors after racing into a 24-6 lead at half-time, and Ungerer is well aware of the tempo and intensity the Joburg side can bring to their games, but backs his side to hit form and get back to winning ways. 

“It’s never easy going to Joburg to play the Lions,” he said.

“Even in Cape Town, they always play for 80 minutes, so you can never relax – you know you have to put in a full match performance,” Ungerer continued to explain. “Whether it’s at altitude or in Cape Town, we look forward to playing our brand of rugby and getting back onto that winning run.”

The Lions have made a habit of getting out of the blocks rapidly with their fast starts, and this was no different when Ruan Venter scored within a minute of the game at DHL Stadium in December. 

Although they dominated proceedings in the first half that day, their lead at half-time was not substantial enough given their dominance, and the Stormers turned matters around in the second half, eventually winning 34-27. 

The Stormers would do well to look out for this and ensure they hinder any fast start by Ivan Van Rooyen’s men. 

“It’s about controlling the big moments,” Ungerer exclaimed.

“Towards the start of the season, we were calm in those big moments, and perhaps some discipline issues crept in, letting teams in easier. In the past few games, we had to work harder for points.”

“Our set piece has always been functioning, so we’re working to get back to that and control the game.”

His demeanour suggested quite clearly that Ungerer and the rest of the squad want nothing more than to restore pride in the jersey through their performance and are confident the rest will take care of itself. 

“We want to put in a Stormers performance we are proud of again.”