Cape Town - The Stormers are in the grips of a slump ... three losses in succession, with one point to boast from a possible 15, tells you that in pretty clear language.
This period has been damaging enough to suggest that, after an optimistic start featuring four wins from as many games, they are likely now to be vying more for a basic playoffs berth - with its associated disadvantages - in Super Rugby 2015 than a realistic crack at a home semi-final.
Their 25-20 Good Friday reverse to the runaway Hurricanes in Wellington leaves them very much marooned in mid-table in both their own conference and the overall log, and among a host of scrappers starting to simply aspire to sneak into top-six qualification come the finish of ordinary season.