Stormers set-pieces key against Chiefs

Cape Town - Stormers captain Schalk Burger says his side are looking forward to the visit of the Chiefs to Newlands this weekend.

The Stormers will take on the Chiefs in the quarter-finals at home this Saturday and Burger says they are keen to finally play against a New Zealand team in Super Rugby. 

The Stormers have yet to play a New Zealand side after being placed in the Africa 1 Conference which only played against the Australian sides from the Australasian Group. 

"A lot of times when we play New Zealand sides, it’s a similar challenge. But in between all of them, they’ve got a few different styles. The Chiefs are a quality side, and it’s different to other years, when you would’ve faced a New Zealand side, and we haven’t," Burger told IOL.

"So it’s a brand-new thing for us. We will prepare well, and there’s only so much you can worry about, and then start trying to organise how you are going to beat, plot how you are going to put them under pressure.

"That’s the challenge, and all the boys are excited about the challenge. We were all watching the two New Zealand derbies, and it was spectacular rugby. I think we just want to be a part of that, and be in no doubt - I think this group believes that they can play rugby against them."

Burger believes they can use their set-pieces to put pressure on the Chiefs on Saturday.

"I suppose set-piece is one of those things that, you can’t solely win a game by it, but sometimes you could lose a game by it. If it functions well, as a captain, it makes it quite easy to make decisions because you can back certain facets of the game," Burger said.

"That’s one area where we think we might be able to put them under pressure - maybe an area of dominance for us. Every week’s different, but even when we lost a few of our own lineouts (against the Kings), I thought we put their lineout under immense pressure.

"Our pack has been functioning well, especially since the June break, so let’s hope that we can do that.