The hype surrounding this weekend’s semi-final between the Stormers and the Crusaders seems to grow each day. Not too many journalists are hopeful about the Stormers chances and I will admit that the Crusaders are the one team I did not want to have to face twice. But what’s done is done and we have a mammoth task awaiting us this weekend.

The Stormers need to remain positive. They need to remember that the Crusaders are not unbeatable and that Sonny Bill Williams is not a rugby god. The Crusaders are a good team and Williams is a good player but he is not perfect and they can be stopped. The Stormers can do this.   

 

Defeating the Crusaders will be difficult but it’s certainly not impossible. Patience and discipline will be crucial. The Stormers need to bear in mind that Dan Carter can and will punish them from just about anywhere in their half, should they give him the opportunity to do so.

 

People often speak about “unnecessary penalties,” this weekend all the penalties that the Stormers make are not only unnecessary but detrimental to their chances of taking down the Crusaders. The Stormers need to adapt quickly to Craig Joubert’s blowing, especially at the break down. Yellow cards are not an option at this stage of the competition.

 

The last time that these teams met in early May, they were both missing their first choice flyhalves. This week however, both Carter and Grant are available. Despite having a stunning season, Grant was not included in Peter de Villiers’ provisional World Cup squad. Stats don’t lie and Grant’s stats are looking great.

 

Grant has the best kicking success rate in the competition (85%). Grant is followed by Aaron Cruden from the Hurricanes with 80% and the Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn with 79%. Dan Carter on the other hand is only 10^th on the list with 73%. Grant insists that he is solely focussed on the task at hand but I’m sure he knows a strong performance against the “best flyhalf in the world” would force P Divvy to think twice about his selections.

 

Allister Coetzee has called on former Stormers player, Schalk Brits to fill in for the injured Duane Vermeulen. Brits was more than happy to answer the coach’s S.O.S. Brits has been playing exceptionally well for Saracens and it will be interesting to see how he does against the Crusaders.

 

 The Crusaders have always enjoyed plenty of support inCape Town. However earlier this season, their extremely vocal fans took it to a new level. The Stormers were booed getting off the bus and Lionel Cronje was booed when he took his penalties. This must have been unsettling for the Stormers. Your home crowd is supposed to back you no matter what.

 

It’s nauseating to think that any team could be booed at home. I don’t understand it though. How can you not support your home team? If I was born inJohannesburg I would definitely be a Lions supporter. We continuously blame Apartheid but I see guys and girls younger than myself supporting theNew Zealand teams.

 

Apartheid can no longer be used as an excuse. The whole reason that the All Blacks were preferred over the Springboks was because players of colour were not allowed to play for their country. However, these days players of colour have the same opportunities as the white players do (if not more- face it, that’s the only reason Elton Janjtes was preferred over Grant).

 

Newlands and SA needs to support the Stormers on Saturday! They are the only South African team still in the running. With that said, good luck Stormers, make us proud!!!

Thanks guys, always appreciate the comments :)

@Gareth, believe me... I am sick with nerves for this game! It's definately not gonna be easy! Fingers crossed the boys pull through.

@Amy I was writing exams and then the Stormers had a bye :)

Awesome post Sarah!!! Where were you? You haven't blogged for a while!

Stormers laat julle winde hulle van die veld afwaai Jacques en Britzie my hart is op julle maar die ons vergeet nie van julle nie kook hulle my broers

I don't understand why the Stormers wouldnt at least be given a chance; perhaps you're reading the wrong journos? Anyway, the odds are stacked against the Crusaders somewhat as they face that trip from NZ, time zones, jet lag and all the rest. Speaking about rest, will it do the Stormers (& Reds) good? Momentum is a funny thing in sport, many players & teams prefer to play week in week out instead of the rest week 'icing' them.

The Saders might not be a great team, but they sure as he'll know how to win clutch games. SBW has that ability to produce at something out of nothing....so beware.

Good luck "Lekker Dinge" - let's hope for a win for yourselves & the Blues win so that we'll have another game at Newlands.