The Stormers ended the first block of their pre-season preparations at the High Performance Centre in Bellville on Thursday whereafter the players will enjoy a well-deserved break over the festive season.
The squad, which includes a number of Western Province Colts, have been undergoing conditioning training at the Bellville base for the past four weeks and Erasmus says the players are all in good shape and ready to hit the ground running in 2009.
“I’m happy with the way the pre-season training has been going,” Erasmus told rugby 365.com before the squad completed their 2008 build-up.
“We’ve had a few niggles over the past few weeks but I am confident that we will have a full strength squad available for the start of the Super 14.
“At this stage only Brian Mujati, Adriaan Fondse and Peter Grant are injured but they are expected to be fit and ready in the new year.”
Erasmus’ first season in charge of the Cape franchise this year, resulted in the Stormers over-delivering on their fans’ expectations by narrowly missing out on a semi-final berth.
The Stormers ultimately finished the 2008 season in fifth position, level with the Hurricanes on 41 points, after a string of home victories brought them into contention for the semi’s.
While Erasmus is justifiably happy with the team’s showing in 2008, he has highlighted the need for his chargers to maintain this good form in next year’s southern hemisphere spectacle.
Erasmus believes the Stormers displayed a cohesive team effort in 2008 and he would like to see the team enhance this ability in next year’s Super 14.
“It’s going to be a tough season. But we are setting high standards for ourselves.” Erasmus said.
“We narrowly missed out on the semi’s this year so we are aiming for an improvement in the Super 14 in 2009.
“Our defence was pretty good this year. And the fact that we were in contention for a semi-final means that our attacking game was also good. So, the important thing for us is to build on that.”
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Just beat the Bulls and all will be forgiven đ
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 1) : And the Sharks… their supporters have become very windgat of late… đ đ
@wpw (Comment 2) :
đ đŻ đ đ đ đ đ
@wpw (Comment 2) :
I predict the Stormers to go overboard with valentines day celebrations instead of concentrating on the game. đ
Sideshows to derail their momentum. đ đ
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : yoh – you’re very confident, oubaas đ
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
Confidence and experience comes with age. đ
If Only I would learn that a lot of my comments come back and bite me on the arse.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : he he. Stormers worry me, though. They have an annoying habit of winning matches they’re supposed to lose.
bit worried abt the backline,but they dont have a decent pack-dont rate mujati
@Bok-Clyde-Kiwi (Comment 8) : Oh well, write us off if you must, Valentines day may just end up being a heartbreaking event for da Tjarks.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : …and losing games they are supposed to win ?
Sharks by 10…we have a BOK front row…and a better flyhalf…
I think we will beat the Sharks at home.
We will hopefully have a full strength squad to choose from.
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 10) :
A better flyhalf???
Ruan is better than Peter Grant???
How many full seasons has Ruan played at 10???
bwahahahaha
@wpw (Comment 12) : You mean how many matches has Grant started for the Boks ??? đ
@wpw (Comment 11) :
You think you’ll beat us?
You also think WP is a team worth supporting…so I probably shouldn’t take you seriously… đ
@wpw (Comment 12) : yes – Ruan is a better flyhalf than Grant. Case closed.
In Rassie we trust.
But the Sharks have a pretty damn good team.
Looking forward to S14. Hopefully the feeling lasts longer than it did last season.
@McLovin (Comment 16) : he he… you guys came back nicely, though
@robdylan (Comment 17) : We did. đ Obviously hoping for a semi. But reckon 2009 will be pretty much the same in terms of log position. đ
@McLovin (Comment 18) :
let me get you out of your misery now…you not gonna make it…sorryy… đ People can be so cruel…I mean – to give you false hope and all… đ đ
Sharks have there name on the trophy already… đ
@Ice (Bébé de Glace) (Comment 19) :
@McLovin (Comment 20) :
I am glad ONE of us is laughing about the truth… đ
@wpw (Comment 2) : So a bek moet jam kry. Honestly if we want to have any success we have to win that first matches at home. If we dont its going to be a looooong season.
From the sunny side of Struisbaai, charge office coffee in the hand! đ
Somethings vaguely rugger related:
Apparently Habana is now engaged to his longtime girlfriend Janine Viljoen.
@Namboer (Comment 23) : great for him!
And pierre spies is married
Think in the Stormers squad only Bekker & Percy married. The rest los honde!
@PaarlBok (Comment 26) : really? Wow…