Nortje: We can't let Stormers get in our heads

02/03/2024 07:02

Skipper Ruan Nortje wants the Vodacom Bulls to steer clear of the "head games" when they clash with the DHL Stormers at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Stormers, unbeaten in local derbies in the Vodacom URC since December 2021, are also ahead of the Bulls in the battle for the SA Shield and go into the match on the back of a seven-game winning run against their rivals.

John Dobson's charges claimed bragging rights at Cape Town Stadium three months ago and Nortje, who missed out due to injury, has identified where he and his teammates need to focus in the rematch on home soil.

"In the previous games, we felt that we were also very well prepared … That game in Cape Town, 77th minute we got a lineout on the five-metre line, and it could've gone any way," he told reporters on the eve of the north-south derby.

"Against the Stormers, we tend to lose a bit of composure, so our game management will have to be better when we play them.

"Sometimes in the past we put too much on that specific game. It's for us to look at them as just another side, focus on our game and what we can do well and where we can put them under pressure, and take it from there.

"It's important for us to not get into too much head games and too much stuff in the media. We must put all those things aside, and focus on the game and what we've got to do.

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"Our focus has got to be better. We talk about it before a game, but then we still give away silly penalties early in the game, which puts us under pressure.

"I don't think it's something massive. It's important for us to clear that head-space of keeping our focus at all times, and not losing our composure in certain parts of the game – especially when we are tired."

Nortje is among the youngsters called up to attend the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town next week, with Bulls assistant coach Andries Bekker having said the 25-year-old has the potential to become a Test regular.

On what it has meant to work with the former Bok lock, Nortje added: "He has been massive for me personally – it's just a privilege to work with him.

"Since I was a little boy growing up, I looked at him playing … Obviously he wasn't playing for a team that I loved, but I always thought that he was an amazing player.

"He has had a massive impact on me personally. He helps me a lot with the small things in my game – especially my line-outs – and I am definitely feeling that it is working for me … just movements and small things to make me better."

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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