DHL Stormers assistant coach, Dawie Snyman, said that under the guidance of former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, Leinster defensive structures have become one of the most difficult teams in the world to break down.
“We know Leinster is a well-oiled machine, they’ve got the ability to put a lot of phases together, they’ve got a great attacking system, obviously with Jacques there now, increasing their defensive linespeed and putting you under pressure in a lot of areas and also getting the balance right between not only attacking, but kicking well.”
“There are no weaknesses in that team, so we need to be firing in all areas for us to get a good result.”
DHL Stormers coach John Dobson has a lot of time for Nienaber, the man who oversees Leinster’s defence.
“He’s a very, very good coach, which doesn’t help the anxiety levels,” said Dobson. “He knows us very well. He was at the DHL Stormers for about five years, and we stay in touch.”
Giving his thoughts on the contest ahead, he said: “It’s going to be a massive week. It’s a monster of a start.
“It’s going to be a heaving stadium, the Stormers against the defending champions under the Friday night lights. “Then, after the game, people can go into the bars in the city and have some more fun. It’s a fantastic night out.”
As for ambitions for the season, Dobson said, “We have to host Play-Offs in Cape Town. That’s all we have been speaking about in camp.
“We’ve got some fantastic new players and it’s a really good, happy, tight squad.”
The DHL Stormers have recruited the likes of scrum-half Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) and flanker Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), plus props Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks) and Oli Kebble (Oyonnax).