Stormers scrumhalf Godlen Masimla was in good form against Griquas in a Preparation Series match in Kimberley on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images
Caretaker Stormers coach Rito Hlungwani admitted his heart was “beating in his throat” before his team clinched a close 38-32 win over Griquas in Kimberley in their Preparation Series match on Tuesday.
Hlungwani said he was happy with his debut as head coach, however, and believed the Stormers were in control for the first 60 minutes when they held a significant lead of 38-13.
“We could have been better in the last 20 minutes, but we must also take into consideration that guys like replacement back Chris Schreuder hasn’t played rugby in a long time,” he said.
“We were put under great pressure with 30 minutes to go, but we will put that into context and we need to give these guys chances to play.”
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Hlungwani said he was not too concerned with the 19 unanswered points Griquas scored in the final quarter.
“I think we did well to give players on the bench exposure like (props) Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Kwenzo Blose got some good time, and (hooker) Chad Solomon, so our bench operated well,” he said.
The experience that potential stars like flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, new wing Sihle Njezula and centre Cornel Smit received could stand them in good stead for the Rainbow Cup.
“I was very happy with our performance and I thought we showed good intent from the start of the game,” said Hlungwani.
“We played against the strong wind in the first half but kept ball in hand and attacked the spaces very well.”
A brace of tries scored by livewire scrumhalf Godlen Masimla and a third by quick fullback Sergeal Petersen just before the break gave the Stormers a solid 24-13 cushion at half-time.
With props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche in control at the scrums, lock Ernst van Rhyn also stood in well as captain after a late withdrawal from the experienced Chris van Zyl.
“We managed to score five good tries overall and our backline looked quite dangerous,” Hlungwani said.
“We got some good interplay between forwards and backs which I thought was brilliant.”
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