Pressure was key to Stormers win: Coach

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee praised his team’s comprehensive display which resulted in their 16-6 Super Rugby win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday night.

“This was a pleasing result and I am very happy with the team’s resilience in difficult conditions,” said Coetzee.

“We pride ourselves in getting the jog done and then worry about the result.

“Compared to last year this Stormers team is in a better place because they not only handle pressure, they also apply pressure.

“We handle the breakdown situations very well, and scoring the one try in the match was very pleasing.

“With this current Stormers team you don’t have to ask for the physicality, they just pitch up every week.”

Stormers captain Schalk Burger admitted his side did not have a good record at the Durban venue but he felt the “wheel was turning” for his charges.

“It was much like our win at Loftus where we have not won in years, and then here again tonight,” said Burger.

“We were pleased to come away with a with win for a change in Durban.”

John Plumtree, the Sharks coach, said his team did not play to their full potential and paid the price.

“We were a couple of percent off our game tonight,” said Plumtree.

“In the first half we played into their hands and they were dominating the territory advantage.

“Our handling and contact play let us down and our line did not function like we needed it to.”