Watch VideoStefan Ungerer ready to step up as Stormers chase crucial derby win at altitude

Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer could slot in as the starting No 9 in place of the injured Cobus Reinach when the Stormers face the Lions on Saturday in a crucial URC encounter at Ellis Park. The Stormers’ Stefan Ungererwill have some big boots to fill this Saturday at Ellis Park(2.30pm kick-off) against the Lions should he take up the vacant No 9 jersey in their second-last United Rugby Championship (URC) local derby. As the Cape side restart their URC campaign away from homeafter a three-week break, they are in dire need of some winning momentum as their bid for a home quarter-final continues.However, the Lions are on a highafter a strong performance against the Sharks last weekend.

Ungerer is expected to step in for Springbok halfback Cobus Reinach, who is on the sidelines following a groin operation. Reinach will be out until at least April, and it will be up to Ungerer and youngster Imad Khan to hold the fort. Following the two losses against the Sharks, Ungerer knows the next couple of matches will be critical.

The inaugural URC winners came off second-best under the high balls – a key part of their game – in Durban, and their lineout struggled to provide clean ball to Reinach and the backs. With the expected fast-tempo game at Ellis Park, Ungerer’s service behind the scrum and at the breakdown will also be under the microscope. The scrumhalf was briefly treated for what looked like a stiff groin next to the training field in Bellville on Wednesday afternoon, however it did not appear to be serious.

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According to Ungerer, they have some things to put right in Johannesburg, but they are not feeling any added pressure after the two defeats. “If you’d asked us at the start of the season if we wanted to be in this position having played 10 games and only losing two, we would’ve taken it,” Ungerer said. “In previous seasons we might’ve started slowly and the pressure would’ve built towards the end of the campaign, when we had must-win games.

So no, I definitely do not think there is pressure amongst the group. There is excitement about having another opportunity to fix some of the things we’ve worked on. “We will test ourselves against two top sides at altitude (facing the Lions and Bulls).

It is never easy going up to Joburg to face the Lions. They are a side that plays for 80 minutes and even in that game down in Cape Town (in December), they played until the final whistle. You can never relax.” Ungerer says the match will come down to controlling the big moments.

He emphasised that remaining calm during them could prove key, and the Stormers will look to return to what worked for them at the start of the season. The Cape side enjoyed an unbeaten URC run until their first defeat to the Sharks at the DHL Stadium. They currently sit third on the official log, with the next two derbies crucial as they chase a home play-off and a spot among the top two sides at the end of the season. That could secure them home advantage through to at least the final.

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