Stormers XXIII face must-win Bulls clash as play-off hopes hang by a thread

The Stormers XXIII will be hoping captain Jean-Luc du Plessis will be fit for their must-win Currie Cup match against the Bulls on Friday in Pretoria.

The Stormers XXIII will be putting all their Currie Cup eggs in the Loftus Versfeld basket as they approach the second-last clash of the tournament against the Bulls as a must-win game to keep their play-off hopes alive.

For many of the players in the side, it will be their first experience of a traditional North-South derby , and according to assistant coach Dewaldt Duvenage, they know it’s a make-or-break clash.

The Cape side also needs some other results to go their way, but a win on Friday at Loftus Versfeld should keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.

“Yes, we are in a play-off mentality,” Duvenage said about the next couple of games.

“We need to win this game (against the Bulls). But we’ve been improving throughout the campaign. Our main goal was to develop the players and I think we did. However, there are still aspects of our game like converting our chances that we can improve on looking at the Bulls.

“The team did well against the Pumas. If you’d told me that we’d have 60% possession and territory and only concede eight penalties, I would’ve taken that. It’s unfortunate that the result didn’t go our way.”

According to Duvenage, the injured captain Jean-Luc du Plessis and scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer went for scans and they are awaiting the results to determine whether they will be available for the Bulls’ clash.

It’s a short week for the Stormers, returning from a Saturday clash in Mbombela, but Duvenage says it’s the same for the Bulls.

“We will see if we can get the boys ready and amped. Training-wise, though, we went up against the Stormers’ URC side and there was some nice energy. It was positive and we are looking forward to the Bulls game.”

Opening the weekend’s Currie Cup action on Friday afternoon, defending champions Griquas will be in a top-of-the-table clash against the Pumas in Mbombela.

It’s a must-win game for the home side to keep their spot secure among the top four, with Griquas having the Cheetahs breathing down their necks. The champions have two tough away games and they’ll look to kick it off with a win in Nelspruit before taking on the Boland Kavaliers in a tough clash in Wellington.

For the Free State, a visit from the Kavaliers means they have a tough assignment to stay in touch with the log leaders. The last time the Boland side played in Bloemfontein, they walked away with a victory that stifled the home side.

But if they can bag a win on Sunday afternoon, their place in the play-offs will be secured.