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Cape Town - Former Springbok hooker Charl Marais has given the Stormers advice on how to improve their struggling lineout, ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cape side had a torrid time in that department during their 19-14 weekend loss to the Crusaders, losing possession on their own throw-in no less than eight times, according to Die Burger's website.
Hooker Deon Fourie was the main culprit, as he struggled to find his jumpers at crucial times during the encounter at Newlands.
The Stormers also struggled in earlier games this season, losing six of their own lineouts against the Bulls and three against the Sharks.
And Marais, who played hooker for Free State as well as Western Province, believes the Stormers simply have to be more consistent in their option-taking.
"Andries Bekker is good enough to make a difference there. They just have to make it easy for the hooker so he can regain his confidence," said Marais.
"Andries should maybe take the pressure off himself. The Stormers' opponents know he is the main man and will target him.
"Everyone also wants a ball at the back of the lineout in order to quickly launch the backline, but it will be wise to play it safe and throw short. It's important to first get your hands on the ball.
"However, I am convinced that the Stormers' lineout woes from the past weekend will only be the exception to the rule."
The Stormers will take confidence from the fact that they haven't lost to the Bloemfontein franchise since 2007, but Marais said the Cheetahs' class of 2013 is a different one, with the former hooker particularly impressed by their aggressive defensive tactics.
"What stands out for me is that it's much tougher to punch holes in their defensive line. In the past they conceded two or three metres but now they drive attackers backwards for two or three metres."
The clash at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Can all the blame for the Stormers' lineouts be placed solely on hooker Deon Fourie? Or should jumpers like Andries Bekker and De Kock Steenkamp also take some of the blame? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
The Cape side had a torrid time in that department during their 19-14 weekend loss to the Crusaders, losing possession on their own throw-in no less than eight times, according to Die Burger's website.
Hooker Deon Fourie was the main culprit, as he struggled to find his jumpers at crucial times during the encounter at Newlands.
The Stormers also struggled in earlier games this season, losing six of their own lineouts against the Bulls and three against the Sharks.
And Marais, who played hooker for Free State as well as Western Province, believes the Stormers simply have to be more consistent in their option-taking.
"Andries Bekker is good enough to make a difference there. They just have to make it easy for the hooker so he can regain his confidence," said Marais.
"Andries should maybe take the pressure off himself. The Stormers' opponents know he is the main man and will target him.
"Everyone also wants a ball at the back of the lineout in order to quickly launch the backline, but it will be wise to play it safe and throw short. It's important to first get your hands on the ball.
"However, I am convinced that the Stormers' lineout woes from the past weekend will only be the exception to the rule."
The Stormers will take confidence from the fact that they haven't lost to the Bloemfontein franchise since 2007, but Marais said the Cheetahs' class of 2013 is a different one, with the former hooker particularly impressed by their aggressive defensive tactics.
"What stands out for me is that it's much tougher to punch holes in their defensive line. In the past they conceded two or three metres but now they drive attackers backwards for two or three metres."
The clash at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Can all the blame for the Stormers' lineouts be placed solely on hooker Deon Fourie? Or should jumpers like Andries Bekker and De Kock Steenkamp also take some of the blame? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
