‘We have to be much better to beat the Bulls,’ says Stormers’ Fouche

Stormers prop Neethling Fouche said that the buck stops with them, and that the players have to put in a much improved performance if they want to end a three-game losing streak in their United Rugby Championship (URC) North-South derby against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

After a stunning start to their season that saw them win their first eight matches, the Stormers have gone on to lose back-to-back games against the Sharks, before flopping to defeat against the Lions in their last outing, and now need to try and stop the rot on the Highveld.

Fouche explained that the players have taken ownership of their recent disastrous form, that has seen them slip from top to fifth on the URC log, and that they were targeting one of the biggest derbies in the competition to get themselves back on track, especially for their supporters.

North-South derby

The North-South derby has become the most eagerly anticipated clash between South African teams over the past few years, and regularly sells out, with crowds of over 40,000 people often roaring their side on, and much of the same is expected in Pretoria this weekend.

“We have to admit to ourselves, we have not been good enough. We as players are looking at each other, and the finger points to you first, and we have to be much better against this Bulls team. They are a side finding their rhythm,” said Fouche earlier in the week.

“I can understand why a lot of people are looking at big stuff, but I believe it is a couple of small things that we have to put right. Then the confidence comes back, and that will lead us to a better place.

“When you lose, you go home, and you want to just put your head under a wet towel and shut out the world. We care so much about the Stormers and making the fans proud. We deeply care about the team.

“Is it a lack of trying, a lack of caring, a lack of effort? It is ‘no’ to all of those. I think sometimes we try too hard. As Dobbo (John Dobson) recently said, ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.’ We know we have the template, it is about getting the small but special moments right.”

First derby

The Stormers edged the Bulls 13-8 in a tight first derby encounter of the season between the two In Cape Town at the start of the year, which stretched their impressive URC record over their Highveld rivals to nine wins and two losses in 11 matches.

But since then they have lost four out of five games, and head into the clash in dismal form, while the Bulls have bounced back from a seven match losing streak earlier in the season with four straight wins.

Fouche admitted that despite their poor recent form, this wasn’t a difficult match to get up for, and the players will be ready and fired up to turn around their fortunes.

“It is not a tough one to get up for. We are aware that it is a massive privilege. Over the course of a career, you get a limited number of opportunities to play these huge North-South derbies in Pretoria, against a very good Bulls team,” said Fouche.

The powerful tighthead prop also said they were relishing the upcoming scrum battle against a Springbok laden Bulls pack, and credited the two scrum coaches.

“It is going to be an immense battle and, firstly, credit must be given to the respective scrum coaches. We have Brok Harris, and they have Werner Kruger,” said Fouche.

“You guys have heard all the cliches, but it really is about eight versus eight, and which eight is going to be more connected, that is the question. Everyone is so well coached these days. The Bulls have a big pack, and heavy flanks.

“We have guys returning from injury. There is no easy answer to give you about how the scrum will go. As an eight, you have to pull together, be connected, and not scrum away from the challenge.”