‘We Got Bitten Twice’: Nel Admits Stormers Mistake Ahead Of Explosive Sharks Derby

DHL Stormers captain Ruhan Nel admits his side underestimated the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship (URC) encounters last season but insists they will not make the same mistake when the teams meet in another highly anticipated South African derby.

The Stormers were physically outplayed by the Sharks in their previous meetings, particularly in Cape Town, and Nel acknowledged that his side had underestimated the challenge and paid the price.

“We probably underestimated the Sharks and physically weren’t up for it like a North/South derby, and got bitten twice,” Nel said.

However, the Stormers will not change their preparation based on their opposition, with Nel insisting that their approach remains consistent regardless of whom they face.

“The process and mindset don’t shift based on the opposition because we approach each game with the same mentality,” he explained.

“Naturally, with a South African derby, there is no need to get the guys up.”

The rivalry has already started to build, with Sharks and Stormers players exchanging banter while together in the Springbok camp.

“Cobus Reinach already said that there were chirps between the Sharks and Stormers boys in the Springbok camp,” Nel revealed.

“The Sharks are also aware that this is a big game.”

While much of the attention surrounding the fixture will focus on the battle between the two forward packs, Nel believes the Sharks possess significant firepower in their backline.

“They’ve got really quick, big backs as well,” he said.

“We’ve all seen what Ethan Hooker can do under the high ball. Andre Esterhuizen speaks for himself. You have a talented player at flyhalf in Vusi Moyo.”

Nel also highlighted the emergence of the Sharks’ young players, including Zekhethelo Siyaya and Litelihle Bester, who has impressed in his opening matches.

“They are set to lose Luan Giliomee to the Bulls, but Siyaya is a very talented youngster. Lili Bester has had two really good games.”

The Sharks have also shown a greater willingness to keep the ball alive, with Nel noting their increased use of offloads as they look to adopt a more expansive style of rugby.

“They are forcing more offloads, trying to make the game more loose. They are trying things, and it’s been working for them in the last two games,” he said.

For Nel, however, that attacking freedom is built on the platform provided by the forwards.

“It’s entertaining rugby, and you can only do that once you have ascendancy going forward and then the backs have the confidence to keep the ball in hand.”

The Stormers will also welcome the return of key Springboks, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach adding further quality to an already highly anticipated encounter.

“With Sacha and Damian coming back along with Cobus, their backs are coming back, and you have two massive packs of forwards going against each other,” Nel said.

“It’s a good challenge for us.”

With both sides boasting strong line-ups, the Sharks looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and the Stormers eager to launch their home campaign on a positive note, Saturday’s clash promises to be an intense battle between two of South African rugby’s heavyweights.