08/05/2008 22:05

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - Bob Skinstad, a Stormers star in 1999, is impressed with the class of 2008. He will be at Newlands on Saturday to support the Cape side when they play the Waratahs in a crucial Super 14 rugby match.

"Of course I believe they can beat the Waratahs," Skinstad said on Thursday. "I'm 100 per cent behind them and I hope they reach the semi-finals; they deserve it."

The former Springbok loose forward, who retired after the 2007 World Cup tournament, has season tickets at Newlands and has attended a number of Stormers matches this year.

"There is a huge improvement. They look sharp on attack as well as defence. And what I like is that they are unpredictable. That is traditionally a strong point of rugby in the Western Cape. Other teams struggle to find an answer to it," Skinstad said.

"One can see (Stormers coach) Rassie Erasms has a hand in every move they make on the field."

Skinstad, who played on the flank and at No 8 for the Stormers, said it was clear that the present loose forwards were able to interchange.

"These are multi-talented players. The way they work together is brilliant."

Suffered a serious knee injury

Asked whether the Stormers could emulate the 1999 team by qualifying for the playoffs, Skinstad said 1999 was history. "This team can set their own targets and reach new heights.

"It would be wonderful if we could move on from 1999."

Skinstad captained the '99ers, with Alan Solomons as coach. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in a road accident that year after starring in almost every match and proving himself to be a brilliant game breaker.

To emulate Skinstad's team and qualify for a home semi-final, the Stormers have to win on Saturday.

Victory won't guarantee them a Newlands semi-final, but if they lose, it will be their last home match of the season.

The Waratahs are second on the log; two points ahead of the Stormers. If they win on Saturday, they will be out of reach of the Cape side, who still have to play the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Crusaders have already booked a home semi-final by ensuring they will finish at the top of the table. The Stormers are among the teams gunning for the No 2 spot and a home semi-final.