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Soweto – The Stormers may have lost Saturday’s Super 14 final to the Bulls, but Heyneke Meyer is predicting a bright future for the team from Cape Town.
Meyer, who holds the position of executive: rugby coaching at the Blue Bulls and was an assistant coach at the Stormers earlier in his career, reminded the Stormers that the Bulls first had to suffer defeat in their semi-finals in 2005 and 2006 before finally being crowned champions in 2007.
“If you look at where the Stormers have been the past two years, they showed a lot of character to come back. Western Province’s junior structures are looking good,” Meyer told Sport24 after Saturday’s Super 14 final.
“It took us two losing semi-finals to learn our lessons after we had already won the Currie Cup a few times. We won the Super 14 for the first time in 2007 and it was a close one.”
Meyer believes the Bulls’ experience carried them through on Saturday. They led 16-0 after Francois Hougaard’s converted try in the 25th minute and three Morne Steyn penalties.
“People always say it comes down to which team is the hungrier, but that is a cliché. It’s about the team that can handle the pressure better. The Stormers played better rugby at times, but the Bulls are tactically experienced,” said Meyer.
“It was a matter of a very experienced side against one that is almost there. I believe the Stormers will go from strength to strength and will be a very tough team to beat going forward.”
Meyer knows he will have a big challenge on his hands when a number of the Bulls’ senior players retire or move to overseas clubs next year.
“It’s good to see WP as a major power in the game again. My big challenge will be when Victor and the guys finish. You can’t buy experience. That is what the Stormers will build in the next few years. Hopefully we still see a lot of north-south derbies, but it will be a challenge to keep the Bulls up there.”
As far as the Stormers are concerned, Meyer believes they should simply build on their Super 14 campaign.
“If they can build from here, especially in the Currie Cup, it’s just a matter of time before they win it. Most of their players are still young and they showed a lot of character in the final. You win finals with character. This Stormers team has a good future.”
Soweto – The Stormers may have lost Saturday’s Super 14 final to the Bulls, but Heyneke Meyer is predicting a bright future for the team from Cape Town.
Meyer, who holds the position of executive: rugby coaching at the Blue Bulls and was an assistant coach at the Stormers earlier in his career, reminded the Stormers that the Bulls first had to suffer defeat in their semi-finals in 2005 and 2006 before finally being crowned champions in 2007.
“If you look at where the Stormers have been the past two years, they showed a lot of character to come back. Western Province’s junior structures are looking good,” Meyer told Sport24 after Saturday’s Super 14 final.
“It took us two losing semi-finals to learn our lessons after we had already won the Currie Cup a few times. We won the Super 14 for the first time in 2007 and it was a close one.”
Meyer believes the Bulls’ experience carried them through on Saturday. They led 16-0 after Francois Hougaard’s converted try in the 25th minute and three Morne Steyn penalties.
“People always say it comes down to which team is the hungrier, but that is a cliché. It’s about the team that can handle the pressure better. The Stormers played better rugby at times, but the Bulls are tactically experienced,” said Meyer.
“It was a matter of a very experienced side against one that is almost there. I believe the Stormers will go from strength to strength and will be a very tough team to beat going forward.”
Meyer knows he will have a big challenge on his hands when a number of the Bulls’ senior players retire or move to overseas clubs next year.
“It’s good to see WP as a major power in the game again. My big challenge will be when Victor and the guys finish. You can’t buy experience. That is what the Stormers will build in the next few years. Hopefully we still see a lot of north-south derbies, but it will be a challenge to keep the Bulls up there.”
As far as the Stormers are concerned, Meyer believes they should simply build on their Super 14 campaign.
“If they can build from here, especially in the Currie Cup, it’s just a matter of time before they win it. Most of their players are still young and they showed a lot of character in the final. You win finals with character. This Stormers team has a good future.”
