7 October 2026
Stormers defence coach Norman Laker is confident that his squad possesses the tactical awareness to absorb minor adjustments made to the defensive blueprint. The returning world champions will look to shut down a firing Sharks attacking unit that secured a double over the Stormers last season.
“We’ve worked on some things in the pre-season which we had identified last season that we can be better at," Laker said. "They’re clever rugby players, and I’m 100% sure that they’ll get the one or two tweaks we’ve made to our system.”
“Most of the guys except Siya [Kolisi] and Wilco [Louw] have been with us for a very long time," Laker explained. "Guys like Zach Porthen, Deon [Fourie], Paul de Villiers, Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu], Damian [Willemse], they all know the system. I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
The tactical adjustments face a massive test this Saturday in the United Rugby Championship coastal derby at Cape Town Stadium. A clinical Sharks outfit arrives in the Mother City unbeaten after the opening two rounds of the competition. Laker made it clear that the hosts have massive respect for the blueprint engineered by Sharks head coach JP Pietersen.
“The Sharks are a quality outfit,” Laker told the media on Monday. “JP Pietersen has done a phenomenal job with the Sharks. Since he took over, they’ve beaten us at Cape Town Stadium, so what he’s done has been phenomenal. We have a lot of respect for him, and I don’t think they’ll move off what they’re doing because it’s working for them.”
The Stormers' defensive system will rely heavily on the immediate impact of their returning Springbok heavyweights. Most of the international contingent boast a long history with the franchise, ensuring a smooth transition back into the matchday squad.