Stormers looking to regain URC momentum against the Lions

Before two derby games against the Sharks, the Stormers were unbeaten and cruising at the top of the URC standings.

However, the Durban side outplayed them in consecutive weeks at the end of January to see them drop down to third place behind the Glasgow Warriors and Leinster.

The tournament then went on break for a few weeks and Stormers first-choice scrumhalf Cobus Reinach underwent groin surgery, meaning Ungerer is likely to start the game against the Lions at Ellis Park this weekend.

He revealed the Stormers squad enjoyed a short break before getting back to work on righting the things that went wrong against the Sharks.

"It was good to give the body a rest after those two derbies against the Sharks. The boys came back keen, refreshed and excited to fix a couple of wrongs," he said.

"It was a tough week, especially in the heat, but we knew we had to put in the work."

"If you asked us at the start of the season whether we'd take a position where we'd lost only two of our first nine or 10 games, we would have taken it.

"There's no feeling of pressure. It's more excitement about getting another opportunity to test ourselves and fix what hasn't been good enough.

"It's never easy going to Joburg. They play for 80 minutes and you can't relax at any stage. We'll need a full match performance. They've matured as a side and they're playing good rugby.

"It's about controlling the big moments. Earlier in the season we were calm in those moments. In the last two games we've maybe let teams in too easily, especially after scoring points.

"You have to treat the kick-off like a set-piece. We need to control the aerial battle, set our base well and execute good kicks to return pressure.

"At altitude, momentum is everything. That's where the game will be won or lost."

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